A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Anti-JC virus seroprevalence in a Finnish MS cohort
Authors: Kolasa M, Hagman S, Verkkoniemi-Ahola A, Airas L, Koivisto K, Elovaara I
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Publication year: 2016
Journal: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
Journal name in source: ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
Journal acronym: ACTA NEUROL SCAND
Volume: 133
Issue: 5
First page : 391
Last page: 397
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 0001-6314
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.12475
Abstract
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.
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.
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