title: JC virus antibody status in a pediatric multiple sclerosis cohort: prevalence, conversion rate and influence on disease severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because of the emergence of novel therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and the associated increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, John Cunningham (JC) virus infection has become a focus of interest for neurologists. However, little is known about JC virus infection in pediatric MS to date.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to analyze the prevalence of anti-JC virus antibodies, the conversion rate and the influence of the anti-JC virus antibody status on the clinical course in a large pediatric MS cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-JC virus antibodies were analyzed in serum samples within six months of disease onset and during the course of the disease. Clinical data were extracted from a pediatric MS databank.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 51.6% of 256 patients were found to be positive for anti-JC virus antibodies at onset of disease. No correlation between antibody status and clinical course was seen. Analyzing 693 follow-up serum samples revealed high titer stability, and an annual conversion rate of 4.37% was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No evidence was found that seropositivity for anti-JC virus antibodies influences the clinical course. Surprisingly, seroprevalence for anti-JC virus antibodies was more than twice as high as anticipated in this age group, raising the question of whether the infection increases the risk of MS development.
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany phuppke@med.uni-goettingen.de.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Huppke
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany.
authors: Hanna
authors: H
authors: Hummel
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ellenberger
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany.
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Pfeifenbring
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany.
authors: Wiebke
authors: W
authors: Stark
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany.
authors: Brenda
authors: B
authors: Huppke
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Brück
authors: University Medical Center, Georg August University Göttingen,Germany.
authors: Jutta
authors: J
authors: Gärtner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007577:JC Virus; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D000069442:Natalizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D000069078:Seroconversion; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069442:Natalizumab
keywords: JC virus; Pediatric multiple sclerosis; adolescents; children; escalation therapy; natalizumab; prevalence