title: Prevalence of MCPyV in Merkel cell carcinoma and non-MCC tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the likely causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, the prevalence of MCPyV in non-MCC population and its possible role in the pathogenesis of other skin cancers are not known yet.
  
  
  METHODS
  A molecular pathology study was performed in 33 MCC samples and 33 age- and sex-matched samples of sun exposed non-MCC tumors [12 seborrheic keratoses (SK), 11 basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and 10 lentigo maligna melanomas (LMM)]. All tumors were analyzed for presence of MCPyV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern-Blot hybridization of PCR products.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCPyV sequences were detected in 21 MCC samples (64%) and in 2 non-MCC tumors of sun exposed skin (6%; both SK-patients). Neither the tissue samples from BCC nor LMM proved positive for MCPyV sequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We were able to confirm prior data on prevalence of MCPyV-DNA in MCC. Furthermore, a female predominance of MCPyV-positive MCC-patients was detected. There was no relevant association of MCPyV with SK, BCC and LMM. Speculative, prevalence of MCPyV in an age- and sex-matched non-MCC population could average up to 6%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andres
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Belloni
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Puchta
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Flaig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D017492:Keratosis, Seborrheic / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018295:Neoplasms, Basal Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015595:Skin Aging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004279:DNA, Viral