BKV DNA and JCV DNA in CSF of children with Suspected Meningitis / Encephalitis in Ibadan Nigeria

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Introduction Human polyomaviruses BK (BKV) and John Cunningham Virus (JCV) are increasingly being implicated in central nervous system (CNS) infections in children, especially immunocompromised ones. These viruses give a mild primary infection early in childhood and remain latent in the CNS, later causing more severe secondary infections. This study sought to determine the presence of BKV and JCV in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children presenting with suspected CNS infections at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, using molecular biology methods. Methodology All children presenting with fever and CNS signs had their clinical details entered into a structured proforma, and CSF obtained using aseptic techniques. The polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis techniques were used to detect polyomavirus DNA in the CSF. Results One hundred children were recruited over the study period, 59 males and 41 females. The most common presenting CNS signs were lethargy 68 (70.1%), seizures 82 (83.6%), and coma 17 (17.5%). BKV was present in the CSF of 74 (82.9%), 34 females and 40 males, while JCV was less common, 35(35.7%), 18 females and 14 (29.8%) males. Twenty-five patients were positive for both BKV and JCV. There was no mortality recorded in any of the patients with BKV and JCV. Conclusion The incidence of BKV and JCV DNA in the CNS was high. While it appears that CNS infections with BKV and JCV may be a common occurrence in this environment, further studies are required to determine pathogenicity and differentiate primary and secondary infections.