Anti-JC virus antibody prevalence in a multinational multiple sclerosis cohort
Mult Scler. 2013 Apr 25. [Epub ahead of print]
| Authors/Editors: | Olsson T, Achiron A, Alfredsson L, Berger T, Brassat D, Chan A, Comi G, Eraksoy M, Hegen H, Hillert J, Jensen PE, Moiola L, Myhr KM, Oturai A, Schippling S, Siva A, Sorensen PS, Trampe AK, Weber T, Potts J, Plavina T, Paes D, Subramanyam M, Wiendl H, Dib H, Uren D, Hemmer B, Buck D. |
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| Publication Date: | 2013 |
Abstract
JC virus (JCV) is an opportunistic virus known to cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Anti-JC virus (Anti-JCV) antibody prevalence in a large, geographically diverse, multi-national multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort was compared in a cross-sectional study. Overall, anti-JCV antibody prevalence was 57.6%. Anti-JCV antibody prevalence in MS patients ranged from approximately 47% to 68% across these countries: Norway, 47.4%; Denmark, 52.6%; Israel, 56.6%; France, 57.6%; Italy, 58.3%; Sweden, 59.0%; Germany, 59.1%; Austria, 66.7% and Turkey, 67.7%. Prevalence increased with age (from 49.5% in patients < 30 years of age to 66.5% in patients ≥ 60 years of age; p < 0.0001 comparing all age categories), was lower in females than in males (55.8% versus 61.9%; p < 0.0001) and was not affected by prior immunosuppressant or natalizumab use.
