JC virus seroprevalence and seroconversion in multiple sclerosis cohort: A Middle-Eastern study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.11.044
• Publication Date: 2015-11-24T15:50:29Z
• Authors: Raed Alroughani; Saeed Akhtar; Samar F. Ahmed; Samia J. Khoury; Jasem Y. Al-Hashel; Mohammad Ali. Sah...; Mohammed Al Jumah; Maya Zeineddine; Sahar Farhat; Hassan Doumiati; Bassem I. Yamout
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Polyomavirus Infections; Multiple Sclerosis; Age Factors; JC Virus; 3. Good health; Middle East; Tumor Virus Infections; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Sex Factors; 0302 clinical medicine; Seroconversion; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Prevalence; Humans; Female; Age of Onset

To estimate JCV seroprevalence and risk of seroconversion against JCV among MS patients in the Middle East.This multicenter study was conducted by implementing a cross-sectional design to assess JCV seroprevalence, and a longitudinal design to assess the risk of JCV seroconversion. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between clinical variables and JCV seropositivity and risk of seroconversion.Of 581 MS patients, 64.9% patients were females. Mean age and mean disease duration were 33.9 and 8.4years respectively. JCV seroprevalence was 48.7%. Male gender (p=0.002), age at onset (p=0.001) and disease duration of 20 or more years (p=0.007) were significantly associated with JCV seropositivity. Among patients (n=125), followed longitudinally, the risk of JCV seroconversion was 17.6% (95% CI: 11.4%-25.4%) during a median follow-up of 18months. The proportion of seroreverted and pseudoconverted patients was 4% and 3.2% respectively.JCV seroprevalence among MS patients in the Middle East was lower than international figures. Male gender, age at onset and disease duration were significantly associated with JCV seropositivity. Risk of JCV seroconversion was higher than previously reported figures. Observed JCV sero-reversion or pseudo-conversion entail watchful period before embarking on a clinical decision.