| Genomic sequences of the human polyomaviruses, JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV), and simian virus 40 (SV40) have been reported from several types of human brain tumors, but there have been no prospective, population-based seroepidemiologic studies to evaluate the association between polyomavirus infection and brain tumors.; We conducted a nested case-control study to investigate the association between serum antibodies to JCV, BKV, and SV40 collected years prior to diagnosis and incident primary malignant brain tumors. Brain tumor cases (n = 44) and age-, gender-, and race-matched controls (n = 88) were identified from participants of two specimen banks in Washington County, Maryland. IgG antibodies to the capsid proteins of JCV and BKV were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). SV40 neutralizing antibodies were measured using plaque neutralization assays. Similar to the general population, the prevalence of JCV and BKV infection was high in our study population (77% and 85%, respectively). Antibodies to SV40 were less prevalent (11%). The odds ratio (OR) for subsequent brain tumor development was 1.46 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61--3.50) for JCV, 0.66 for BKV (95% CI, 0.22--1.95), and 1.00 for SV40 (95% CI, 0.30--3.32).; 64% of the brain tumor cases identified in the nested case-control study were glioblastomas, the most common form of glioma. JC virus (JCV), BK virus (BKV), and simian virus 40 (SV40) have all been identified from glioblastomas in previous case series reports, many with limited numbers of cases and detailed patient data. We identified 102 GBM cases consecutively treated and/or diagnosed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1994--2000. The presence of JCV, BKV, and SV40 genomic sequences in GBM tissue was assessed using polymerase chain reaction assays, followed by gel electrophoresis and southern blot hybridization. JCV sequences were detected in one out of 102 GBMs. BKV and SV40 sequences were undetectable in all tumors.; Given the high prevalence of JCV and BKV infections and the millions who were potentially exposed to SV40 through contaminated polio vaccines, the null findings are reassuring that these viruses may not play a role in the etiology of adult brain tumors. |
