Mother-to-child transmission of oncogenic polyomaviruses BKPyV, JCPyV and SV40

Elisa Mazzoni; Elena Pellegrinelli; Chiara Mazziotta; Carmen Lanzillotti; John Charles Rotondo; Ilaria Bononi; Maria Rosa Iaquinta; Marco Manfrini; Fortunato Vesce; Mauro Tognon; Fernanda Martini

doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.02.006

Mother-to-child transmission of oncogenic polyomaviruses BKPyV, JCPyV and SV40

J Infect. 2020 May;80(5):563-570. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.02.006. Epub 2020 Feb 22.

Affiliations

¹ Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara 44121, Italy.
² Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara 44121, Italy; Biostatistic Unit, GVM Care & Research, Maria Cecilia Hospital, Cotignola, Italy.
³ Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
⁴ Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara 44121, Italy. Electronic address: mauro.tognon@unife.it.
⁵ Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara 44121, Italy. Electronic address: mrf@unife.it.

PMID: 32097686
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.02.006

Abstract

Objectives: Polyomavirus (PyV) infections have been associated with different diseases. BK (BKPyV), JC (JCPyV) and simian virus 40 (SV40) are the three main PyVs whose primary infection occurs early in life. Their vertical transmission was investigated in this study.

Methods: PyV sequences were analyzed by the digital droplet PCR in blood, serum, placenta, amniotic fluid, vaginal smear from two independent cohorts of pregnant females and umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples. IgG antibodies against the three PyVs were investigated by indirect E.L.I.S.As with viral mimotopes.

Results: DNAs from blood, vaginal smear and placenta tested BKPyV-, JCPyV- and SV40-positive with a distinct prevalence, while amniotic fluids were all PyVs-negative. A prevalence of 3%, 7%, and 3% for BKPyV, JCPyV and SV40 DNA sequences, respectively, was obtained in UCBs. Serum IgG antibodies from pregnant females reached an overall prevalence of 62%, 42% and 17% for BKPyV, JCPyV and SV40, respectively. Sera from newborns (UCB) tested IgG-positive with a prevalence of 10% for BKPyV/JCPyV and 3% for SV40.

Conclusions: In this investigation, PyV vertical transmission was revealed by detecting PyV DNA sequences and IgG antibodies in samples from females and their offspring suggesting a potential risk of diseases in newborns.

Keywords: Antibody; Infection; Pregnancy; Prevalence; PyV; Vertical transmission.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

BK Virus* / genetics
Child
Female
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Infant, Newborn
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
JC Virus* / genetics
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polyomavirus Infections* / epidemiology
Pregnancy
Simian virus 40 / genetics

Substances

Immunoglobulin G