title: Human BK Polyomavirus-The Potential for Head and Neck Malignancy and Disease.
abstract: Members of the human Polyomaviridae family are ubiquitous and pathogenic among immune-compromised individuals. While only Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has conclusively been linked to human cancer, all members of the polyomavirus (PyV) family encode the oncoprotein T antigen and may be potentially carcinogenic. Studies focusing on PyV pathogenesis in humans have become more abundant as the number of PyV family members and the list of associated diseases has expanded. BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) in particular has emerged as a new opportunistic pathogen among HIV positive individuals, carrying harmful implications. Increasing evidence links BKPyV to HIV-associated salivary gland disease (HIVSGD). HIVSGD is associated with elevated risk of lymphoma formation and its prevalence has increased among HIV/AIDS patients. Determining the relationship between BKPyV, disease and tumorigenesis among immunosuppressed individuals is necessary and will allow for expanding effective anti-viral treatment and prevention options in the future.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Immunology Department, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. rbc@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burger-Calderon
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Immunology Department, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Jennifer_Cyriaque@unc.edu.|Department of Dental Ecology, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Jennifer_Cyriaque@unc.edu.|Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Jennifer_Cyriaque@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Webster-Cyriaque
keywords: BK polyomavirus; HIV-associated salivary gland disease; cancer; polyomavirus