Newly discovered KI, WU, and Merkel cell polyomaviruses: no evidence of mother-to-fetus transmission.
BACKGROUND
Three* human polyomaviruses have been discovered recently, KIPyV, WUPyV and MCPyV. These viruses appear to circulate ubiquitously; however, their clinical significance beyond Merkel cell carcinoma is almost completely unknown. In particular, nothing is known about their preponderance in vertical transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of fetal infections by these viruses. We sought the three by PCR, and MCPyV also by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), from 535 fetal autopsy samples (heart, liver, placenta) from intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFDs) (N = 169), miscarriages (120) or induced abortions (246). We also measured the MCPyV IgG antibodies in the corresponding maternal sera (N = 462) mostly from the first trimester.


RESULTS
No sample showed KIPyV or WUPyV DNA. Interestingly, one placenta was reproducibly PCR positive for MCPyV. Among the 462 corresponding pregnant women, 212 (45.9%) were MCPyV IgG seropositive.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that none of the three emerging polyomaviruses often cause miscarriages or IUFDs, nor are they transmitted to fetuses. Yet, more than half the expectant mothers were susceptible to infection by the MCPyV.
Sadeghi
Mohammadreza
M
Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Riipinen
Anita
A
Väisänen
Elina
E
Chen
Tingting
T
Kantola
Kalle
K
Surcel
Heljä-Marja
HM
Karikoski
Riitta
R
Taskinen
Helena
H
Söderlund-Venermo
Maria
M
Hedman
Klaus
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D055815:Young Adult
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral