Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was recently discovered in Merkel cell carcinomas, rare but aggressive skin cancers. Merkel cell polyomavirus DNA has been detected in the majority of merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and less commonly in other skin tumors and healthy skin. To determine if MCPyV might be a widespread in the general population, a retrospective study and tested MCC as well as healthy and skin lesion and mucosa samples of immuno competent and immunosuppressed persons without MCC for MCPyV DNA are conducted. The majority of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma carry MCPyV, but little is known about polyomavirus prevalence in the general population and the association between circulating antibodies against MCPyV and the rare skin cancer.
MCPyV DNA can be efficiently detected by cutaneous swabbing. This method could be useful tool for future epidemiologic studies targeting MCPyV. Indeed, this noninvasive procedure may be easily performed without the potential risk for side effects related to biopsy collection and is more acceptable than a biopsy for patients who not have a cutaneous disease. The high prevalence of MCPyV DNA at the skin surface, contrasted with its low prevalence in buccal mucosa and its absence in skin ulcers, strongly suggests that MCPyV is localized in the epidermis.
Work cited: Toland AE. Merkel cell polyomavirus in cutaneous squamous immunocompetent individuals. J Invest Dermatol. 2009
Journal of the National Cancer Institute published September 23
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