Detection of merkel cell polyomavirus in oral samples of renal transplant recipients without Merkel cell carcinoma

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Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine cancer, with approximately 80% of cases associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). The lack of information concerning its occurrence in non‐MCC immunosuppressed populations led to the investigation of MCPyV DNA in saliva and oral biopsies from 60 kidney allograft recipients and 75 non‐transplanted individuals (control group). In contrast to herpesviruses, which was also investigated (CMV, HHV‐6A, and B, HHV‐7) MCPyV was detected predominantly in patients with oral lesions (gingivitis and/or periodontitis) of both transplanted and non‐transplanted groups (P = 0.016) and in the saliva of the transplanted group (P = 0.009). MCPyV co‐detection with CMV (P = 0.048), and HHV‐6 (P = 0.020) in the saliva of transplanted patients requires further investigation on a possible role of co‐infection. J Med. Virol. 85:2016–2019, 2013.

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