Evidence of SV40 infections in hospitalized children

Simian virus 40 (SV40) is known to have contaminated poliovirus vaccines us ed between 1955 and 1963. Accumulating reports have described the presence of SV40 DNA in human tumors and normal tissues, although the significance o f human infections by SV40 is unknown. We investigated whether unselected h ospitalized children had evidence of SV40 infections and whether any clinic al correlations were apparent. Serum samples were examined for SV40 neutral izing antibody using a specific plaque reduction test; of 337 samples teste d, 20 (5.9%) had antibody to SV40. Seropositivity increased with age and wa s significantly associated with kidney transplants (6 of 15 [40%] positive, P < .001). Many of the antibody-positive patients had impaired immune syst ems. Molecular assays (polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequence analysis) on archival tissue specimens confirmed the presence of SV40 DNA in 4 of th e antibody-positive patients. This study, using 2 independent assays, shows the presence of SV40 infections in children born after 1980. We conclude t hat SV40 causes natural infections in humans. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Sa unders Company.