The prevalence of human polyomaviruses in urine samples of immunocompetent individuals in the Serbian population

Abstract

The BK (BKV) and JC viruses (JCV) are human polyomaviruses. After primary infection, they persist as latent infection in the kidneys. Immunosuppression leads to their reactivation, which is associated with life-threatening diseases such as polyomavirus-induced nephropathy and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. However, the behavior of these viruses in immunocompetent individuals is still an open question with no right answer. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of BKV and JCV shedding in the urine of immunocompetent individuals from the Serbian population. Sixty-five urine samples were collected and tested for the presence of BKV and JCV DNA by PCR. JCV DNA was detected in 19/65 (29.2%) and BKV DNA in 3/65 (4.6%) of the urine samples. Forty-three (66.2%) urine samples of the immunocompetent donors were negative for both viruses. The present study provides the first results of urinary excretion of human polyomaviruses in the Serbian population.