title: Analysis of JC virus DNA in NPSLE patients treated with different immunomodulatory agents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this report is to assess the presence and viral load of JC polyomavirus (JCV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma from neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) patients in comparison to controls and to investigate if different types of immunosuppressive treatments were correlated to detection and viral load of JCV DNA in SLE.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Reactivation of a latent JCV infection with subsequent development of the fatal disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has become an increasing problem in patients with autoimmune diseases treated with newer immunosuppressants. Accumulating data point out that SLE patients are at particular risk for PML compared to patients with other rheumatic diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  CSF samples (n = 69) and plasma samples (n = 51) from 71 SLE patients and 58 controls (53 CSF samples and 50 plasma samples) with other non-inflammatory neurological disease (OND) were analyzed for JCV DNA with a quantitative PCR method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All CSF and plasma samples from NPSLE patients and controls were negative for JCV DNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  JCV DNA was absent in CSF and plasma in NPSLE patients and controls and consequently we were not able to identify any correlation between the occurrence of JCV DNA and type of immunosuppressive medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology Unit, Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Ellen.Iacobaeus@karolinska.se
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iacobaeus
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hopia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khademi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lundén
authors.forename: A-L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hammarin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Svenungsson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D007155:Immunologic Factors