title: Human polyomavirus reactivation: disease pathogenesis and treatment approaches.
abstract: JC and BK polyomaviruses were discovered over 40 years ago and have become increasingly prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality in a variety of distinct, immunocompromised patient cohorts. The recent discoveries of eight new members of the Polyomaviridae family that are capable of infecting humans suggest that there are more to be discovered and raise the possibility that they may play a more significant role in human disease than previously understood. In spite of this, there remains a dearth of specific therapeutic options for human polyomavirus infections and an incomplete understanding of the relationship between the virus and the host immune system. This review summarises the human polyomaviruses with particular emphasis on pathogenesis in those directly implicated in disease aetiology and the therapeutic options available for treatment in the immunocompromised host.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley, Surrey GU16 7UJ, UK. cillian.degascun@nhs.net
authors.forename: Cillian F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: De Gascun
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001739:BK Virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010802:Phylogeny; D027382:Polyomaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral