BK virus capsid antibodies are associated with protection against subsequent development of PML in HIV-infected patients

• Published in: Virology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 485; pp. 467 - 472
• Main Authors: Rossi, Francesca, Li, Xiuhong, Jacobson, Lisa, Levine, Andrew J., Chen, Yue, Palella, Frank J., Margolick, Joseph, Viscidi, Raphael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2015
• Subjects: Adult; antibodies; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Antibodies, Viral - immunology; BK polyomavirus; BK Virus - immunology; blood serum; capsid; Capsid - immunology; Case-Control Studies; Cohort study; Coinfection; Cross Protection - immunology; Female; HIV infections; HIV Infections - immunology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human polyomavirus 1; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin G - immunology; Infectious Disease; JC polyomavirus; JC Virus - classification; JC Virus - immunology; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal - immunology; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal - prevention & control; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; risk; Risk Factors; Serogroup; Viral serology; virology; JC polyomavirus; Viral serology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Cohort study; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; BK polyomavirus
• ISSN: 0042-6822; 1096-0341; 1096-0341
• DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.08.022

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by JC polyomavirus (JCPyV). Because a reciprocal relationship has been described between antibody levels to JCPyV and BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), we performed a nested case control study with pre-diagnostic serum samples from HIV infected subjects to examine the relationship between BKPyV capsid antibodies and the risk of PML. Serum samples collected 0.5–2 years before PML diagnosis from 25 cases (66 samples) and 80 matched controls (204 samples) were tested in ELISA for JCPyV, BKPyV type 1 and type 4 capsid antibodies. High levels of BKPyV 1 and 4 antibodies were associated with a lower risk of PML (BKPyV 1 OR, 0.56, 95% CI, 0.35–0.89; BKPyV 4 OR, 0.40, 95% CI, 0.24–0.0.67). Our study demonstrates that antibodies to BKPyV capsids are an immunological marker of protection against development of PML. Further studies are needed to define the mechanism. •Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by JC virus.•We performed a nested case control study of pre-diagnostic serological markers.•Antibody to genetically-related BK virus was associated with lower risk of PML.•The viruses are serologically distinct but may share cross reactive T cell epitopes.