Prevalence of the antibody against human polyoma viruses (JCV and BKV) in aged persons

Abstract

JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV) are known as small DNA type tumor viruses belonging to the human polyoma virus. The infectious state of these viruses has not yet been examined extensively in the aged persons; therefore, antibody measurements were made in 349 healthy volunteers from 20 to 90 years old and 383 cases of in-patients from 60 to 100 years old. As controls, measurements were made on the antibody titers to the herpes-type viruses which are known to be reactivated as the immunologic state of hosts decrease. The results obtained were as follows; 1) In the aged cases over 60 years old, the average HI antibody titers for JCV were significantly higher than that for BKV. 2) In the aged persons of the prevalence rate the high antibody titer (1024 less than) for JCV was also higher than that for BKV. 3) In the results with EIA (EIA test human polyoma viruses common antigen), the significant increase in the antibody titer was observed in the aged older than 70. 4) The average antibody titers of HSV and CMV, tended to increase as the age advanced until 60 and to decrease with age over 70. These results indicate that JCV is reactivated in a high rate in the aged (70 less than) persons.