Specific viruses were not detected in Guthrie cards from children who later developed leukemia.
There are hypotheses concerning infectious mechanism in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The first genetic event often happens in utero, based on studies from Guthrie cards. The authors have summarized the results from their studies concerning infectious mechanism. Presence of human polyomaviruses, parvovirus, HHV-6, EBV, and CMV were investigated by PCR from Guthrie cards from children who later developed ALL and healthy controls. Neither of these viruses were detected from patients nor from controls. The results do not support that these viruses have contributed to the development of a substantial part of the ALL cases in Swedish children.
Gustafsson
Britt
B
Department of Pediatrics, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. britt.gustafsson@ki.se
Bogdanovic
Gordana
G
D004263:DNA Tumor Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D013548:Sweden; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*