title: Nearly one-half of Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis using natalizumab are DNA-JC virus positive.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Natalizumab is a new and efficient treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) during the use of this drug has created the need for better comprehension of JC virus (JCV) infection. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of JCV-DNA in Brazilian patients using natalizumab.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative detection of the JCV in the serum was performed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a group of 168 patients with MS who were undergoing treatment with natalizumab, JCV-DNA was detectable in 86 (51.2%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data on JCV-DNA in Brazil add to the worldwide assessment of the prevalence of the JCV in MS patients requiring treatment with natalizumab.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, SantosSP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Yara Dadalti
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Fragoso
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: Walter Oleschko
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Arruda
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Joseph Bruno Bidin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Margarete de Jesus
authors.initials: Mde J
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Elizabeth Regina
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Comini-Frota
authors.forename: Renan Barros
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.forename: Maria Lucia Brito
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Finkelsztejn
authors.forename: Paulo Diniz da
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.forename: Sidney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Marcus Vinicius Magno
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Damacio Ramon
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kaimen-Maciel
authors.forename: Rogério de Rizo
authors.initials: Rde R
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.forename: Heloisa Helena
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ruocco
authors.forename: Pedro Rippel
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.forename: Livia Brito Bezerra de
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.forename: Rodrigo Assad Diniz da
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgeto
authors.forename: Josiane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Celso Luis Silva
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Francisco Tomaz Meneses
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Safanelli
authors.forename: Patricia Correia de Oliveira
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Saldanha
authors.forename: Massaco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Satomi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D000069442:Natalizumab; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000069442:Natalizumab