Polyomaviridae.pptVIP

The small T-Antigen The small T-antigen protein is also able to activate several cellular pathways which stimulate cell proliferation. Such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway. Polyomavirus Infection Capable of causing tumors in animals and humans Can cause other diseases BK and JC viruses are endemic worldwide Infection outcome depends on the individual’s immune system Normal immune systems tend to prevent latent infections Compromised immune systems allow latent infections to become established in the kidneys All the polyomaviruses are highly common childhood and young adult infections. Most of these infections appear to cause little or no symptoms. These viruses are probably life-long persistent among almost all adults. Diseases caused by human polyomavirus infections are most common among persons who become immunosuppressed by AIDS, old age or after transplantation and include Merkel cell carcinoma, PML and . Polyomavirus Infection Reactivation events are different between the BK and JC viruses BK virus Potentially severe urinary tract infections can develop JC virus Can cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy Viruses infect and kill the white matter of the CNS Paralysis and death eventually result Polyomavirus Infection HE staining of PML brain biopsy; black arrows point out some of the reactive astrocytes; blue arrow points toward an oligodendrocyte nucleus which has been markedly enlarged with viral particles, giving it a magenta color PML focal neurological defects due to demyelination parieto-occipital brain involvement associated with muscle weakness, gait disturbance, speech defect, or visual blind spot cerebellum involvement associated with broadlegged gait and imbalance Diagnosis: CT or MRI lumbar puncture for JCV PCR Treatment: none, except for highly active antiretroviral therapy( HAART) in AIDS patients BK nephropathy: no evidence that BKV causes disease