Anti-JC virus seroprevalence in a Finnish MS cohort

作者:Ko**** M; Hagman S; Verkkoniemi Ahola A; Airas L; Koivisto K; Elovaara I*
来源:Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 2016, 133(5): 391-397.
DOI:10.1111/ane.12475

摘要

Background - The risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by the JC virus (JCV) is increased in patients with multiple sclerosis receiving biological therapies. Objectives - To determine the seroprevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in Finnish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome and to assess the clinical risk factors for JCV seropositivity. Methods - The JCV seroprevalence was analyzed in 503 patients using a second-generation two-step ELISA. Sixty-seven patients underwent longitudinal serological evaluation over 4.5 years. Results - The overall seroprevalence of JCV was 57.4%. The seropositivity was higher in men than in women, tended to increase with age, and was not affected by different immunomodulatory therapies. However, in patients with ongoing natalizumab treatment (n = 72), the anti-JCV antibody screening index was lower than in patients without such therapy [median 0.3 (range 0.1-3.1) vs 0.6 (0.1-3.1), respectively, P = 0.01]. Over 4.5 years, 4/19 (21%) initially seronegative patients converted to seropositivity, whereas 4/48 (8.3%) initially seropositive patients reverted to seronegativity. Fluctuations in serostatus were observed in 3/67 patients. Conclusion - The study confirmed a high anti-JCV antibody prevalence in patients with MS and its association with age and male gender but not with disease-modifying therapies. Our data suggest that therapy with natalizumab may cause a decrease in anti-JCV antibody levels, suggesting an immunosuppressive effect of natalizumab without an impact on JCV seroprevalence. The results of studies performed until now confirm the predictive value of anti-JCV antibody measurement in the assessment of PML risk; however, changes in serostatus need to be considered.

  • 出版日期2016-5