BK AND JC VIRUSES IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE 1-INFECTED PERSONS - PREVALENCE, EXCRETION, VIREMIA, AND VIRAL REGULATORY REGIONS

Human polyomavirus BK (BKV) and JC (JCV) infections were examined in p ersons infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). High frequencies of BKV (24%) and JCV viruria (16%) were detected by polym erase chain reaction (PCR). BKV viruria was not found in an immunocomp etent control group, in contrast to a frequency of JCV viruria of 20%. The degree of HIV-induced immunodeficiency did not influence the prev alence of BKV viruria, in contrast to cytomegalovirus viruria, suggest ing BKV reactivation is an early manifestation in HIV infection as wel l as a temporal sequence of opportunistic infections. BKV DNA but not JCV DNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in 2 of 42 subjects by a sensitive nested PCR. Sequencing of viral noncodi ng control regions (NCCRs) revealed predominantly archetypal and TU ty pe BKV NCCRs but only archetypal JCV NCCRs. A new, naturally occurring BKV NCCR variant was detected in 1 urine specimen and 2 PBMC samples, indicating a stable and biologically significant rearrangement. Serum levels of BKV antibodies do not seem to be diagnostically useful in H IV-infected persons.