JCV, BKV, Polyomaviruses

Review

JC virus

BK virus

Human polyomavirus 2 = JC virus = John Cunningham virus, is a type of human polyomavirus The virus causes PML and other diseases only in cases of immunodeficiency The initial site of infection may be the tonsils, or possibly GI tract. It can also infect the tubular epithelial cells in the kidneys. Recent studies suggest that this virus may latently infect the human semen as well as the chorionic villi tissues. Granule cell layer neuronopathy: It has been found to infect the granule cell layer of the cerebellum, while sparing purkinje fibers, ultimately causing severe cerebellar atrophy. Encephalopathy Aseptic meningitis

BK virus rarely causes disease but is typically associated with patients who have had a kidney transplant Many patients are asymptomatic. Spontaneous abortion Renal dysfunction (Progressive rise in serum creatinine), + Abnormal urinalysis revealing renal tubular cells and inflammatory cells.

Entities

• Brain tumor: Hemiparesis. Quadriparesis. Muscular Weakness, Convulsions Cranial nerve deficits (Visual field deficits. Blindness.) Sensory deficits. Ataxia
• Encephalopathy; PML (Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy): Dullness. Weakness of memory. Aphasia. Impaired cognition. Dementia. Coma. Sleeplessness
• Tonsillitis
• Acute hemorrhagic Cystitis
• Tubulo-interstitial Nephritis: Anasarca
• Nephropathy. Ureter; stenosis, ulceration. Renal failure.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Systemic vasculopathy
• Lymphoma. Leukemia: Lymphopenia. Monocytosis

Remedies

1. Plb
2. Bov, Alum, Nux-v, Lach, Caust, Arg-n, Phos, Bell