JC virus antibody status in a pediatric multiple sclerosis cohort: Prevalence, conversion rate and influence on disease severity. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huppke, Peter; Hummel, Hanna; Ellenberger, David; Pfeifenbring, Sabine; Stark, Wiebke; Huppke, Brenda; Brück, Wolfgang; Gärtner, Jutta
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 21:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 382
• Page End: 387
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Pediatric multiple sclerosis -- JC virus -- natalizumab -- escalation therapy -- children -- adolescents -- prevalence; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458514543340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

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. Conclusion: 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.