title: Molecular prevalence of Merkel cell polyomavirus in nonmelanoma skin cancer in a Brazilian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a newly described oncogenic virus, has been found in association with tumours other than Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). As yet, little is known about the involvement or influence of MCPyV on the development of these tumours and its prevalence in various populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of MCPyV DNA in cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence of MCPyV DNA was assessed in 96 cases of NMSC in a Brazilian population comprising 76 subjects, and these results were correlated with epidemiological and demographical data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCPyV DNA was detected in 23 of 69 (33.3%) basal cell carcinomas, in 2 of 11 (18%) squamous cell carcinomas, 2 of 4 Bowen disease case, 0 of 1 MCC and 4 of 11 other skin disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the frequent detection of MCPyV DNA in NMSC, its possible role in the development of NMSC still needs further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: T R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3909-5935
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Bellott
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio do Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Baez
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio do Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio do Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Venceslau
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio do Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Zalis
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio do Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rochael
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Luz
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Varella
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Almeida