title: Detection of Merkel cell polyomavirus in oral samples of renal transplant recipients without Merkel cell carcinoma.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine cancer, with approximately 80% of cases associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). The lack of information concerning its occurrence in non-MCC immunosuppressed populations led to the investigation of MCPyV DNA in saliva and oral biopsies from 60 kidney allograft recipients and 75 non-transplanted individuals (control group). In contrast to herpesviruses, which was also investigated (CMV, HHV-6A, and B, HHV-7) MCPyV was detected predominantly in patients with oral lesions (gingivitis and/or periodontitis) of both transplanted and non-transplanted groups (P=0.016) and in the saliva of the transplanted group (P=0.009). MCPyV co-detection with CMV (P=0.048), and HHV-6 (P=0.020) in the saliva of transplanted patients requires further investigation on a possible role of co-infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Fluminense Federal University, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Freze
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Baez
authors.forename: Maria Angélica A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Rosângela A G
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Jonard
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Zalona
authors.forename: João José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cossatis
authors.forename: Mariano Gustavo
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Zalis
authors.forename: Silvia Maria Baeta
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.forename: Rafael Brandão
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Varella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology*; D014180:Transplantation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Merkel cell polyomavirus; kidney transplantation; oral cavity