Abstract
We investigated the presence of 4 human polyomaviruses (PyVs) (WU, KI, Merkel cell, and Malawi) in respiratory specimens from a community-based birth cohort. These viruses typically were acquired when children were ≈1 year of age. We provide evidence that WU, KI, and Malawi, but not Merkel cell PyVs, might have a role in respiratory infections.
Highlights
We investigated the presence of 4 human polyomaviruses (PyVs) (WU, KI, Merkel cell, and Malawi) in respiratory specimens from a community-based birth cohort
MCPyV was identified in Merkel cell carcinoma tissue, and evidence suggested that genome integration of MCPyV initiates cell transformation [6]
MCPyV was detected within this cohort, but age, frequency of detection, and lower levels of viral shedding contrasted with the findings for WUPyV, KIPyV, and MWPyV. This finding is supported by other retrospective studies that showed that MCPyV is more frequently detected in the respiratory tract of adults [7]
Summary
In the past 7 years, 11 new human PyVs have been described These include WU (WUPyV), KI (KIPyV), Merkel cell (MCPyV), and Malawi (MWPyV) PyVs, all of which have been detected in respiratory secretions, from children [3]. We investigated the presence of the respiratoryassociated human PyVs (WUPyV, KIPyV, MCPyV, and MWPyV) in samples collected weekly, regardless of symptoms, from healthy children in Australia during their first 18 months of life. These children were participating in a community-based longitudinal birth cohort study (Observational Research in Childhood Infectious Disease [ORChID]). Most symptoms reported during the sole detection episodes were upper respiratory (Table 2)
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