title: Detection of TS polyomavirus DNA in tonsillar tissues of children and adults: evidence for site of viral latency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The trichodysplasia spinulosa-associated polyomavirus (TSPyV), a recently discovered species of the family Polyomaviridae, is associated with development of trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS), a rare follicular skin disease of immunocompromised individuals. The viral seroprevalence in the general population is ∼70%, with little known of its route of transmission, latency, or primary infection site.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine whether the viral DNA is detectable in tonsillar tissue of constitutionally healthy individuals, and what the corresponding antiviral seroreactivities are.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested 229 matched pairs of tonsillar tissue biopsies and serum samples from asymptomatic donors for TSPyV DNA by real-time quantitative PCR with primer pairs and Taq-Man probes targeting the VP1 and LT genes. The sera were studied by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for TSPyV-VP1-IgG and the PCR-positive individuals also for -IgM and -IgG-avidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TSPyV DNA was detectable in 8 (3.5%) of 229 tonsillar tissues, and in none of the corresponding sera. TSPyV IgG seroprevalence among children was 39% and among adults 70%. Each of the 8 PCR-positive subjects had antiviral IgG of high avidity but not IgM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TSPyV PCR positivity of tonsillar samples of individuals with long-term immunity provides the first evidence of TSPyV in tonsils and suggests lymphoid tissue as a latency site of this emerging human pathogen.
authors: Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: reza.sadeghi@helsinki.fi.
authors: Mohammadreza
authors: M
authors: Sadeghi
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Leena-Maija
authors: LM
authors: Aaltonen
authors: Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Virology and Immunology, Helsinki University Central Hospital Laboratory Division, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Lea
authors: L
authors: Hedman
authors: Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Tingting
authors: T
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Söderlund-Venermo
authors: Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Virology and Immunology, Helsinki University Central Hospital Laboratory Division, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Hedman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000821:virology*; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017735:Virus Latency; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M
keywords: HPyV; Persistence; RNase P gene; Serology; TS; TSPyV; Tonsil; VLP; human polyomavirus family; qPCR; quantitative PCR; trichodysplasia spinulosa; trichodysplasia spinulosa-associated polyomavirus; virus like particle