Nearly one-half of Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis using natalizumab are DNA-JC virus positive

• Author(s): Fragoso,Yara Dadalti ; Mendes,Maria Fernanda ; Arruda,Walter Oleschko ; Becker,Jefferson ; Brooks,Joseph Bruno Bidin ; Carvalho,Margarete de Jesus ; Comini-Frota,Elizabeth Regina ; Domingues,Renan Barros ; Ferreira,Maria Lucia Brito ; Finkelsztejn,Alessandro ; Gama,Paulo Diniz da ; Gomes,Sidney ; Goncalves,Marcus Vinicius Magno ; Kaimen-Maciel,Damacio Ramon ; Morales,Rogerio de Rizo ; Muniz,Andre ; Ruocco,Heloisa Helena ; Salgado,Pedro Rippel ; Albuquerque,Livia Brito Bezerra de ; Gama,Rodrigo Assad Diniz da ; Georgeto,Sergio ; Lopes,Josiane ; Oliveira,Celso Luis Silva ; Oliveira,Francisco Tomaz Meneses ; Safanelli,Juliana ; Saldanha,Patricia Correia de Oliveira ; Satomi,Massaco
• Date: 2013
• Origin: Oasisbr
• Subject(s): JC virus; multifocal leukoencephalopathy; multiple sclerosis; natalizumab
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: English

Description

Objective Natalizumab is a new and efficient treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) during the use of this drug has created the need for better comprehension of JC virus (JCV) infection. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of JCV-DNA in Brazilian patients using natalizumab. Method Qualitative detection of the JCV in the serum was performed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results In a group of 168 patients with MS who were undergoing treatment with natalizumab, JCV-DNA was detectable in 86 (51.2%) patients. Discussion Data on JCV-DNA in Brazil add to the worldwide assessment of the prevalence of the JCV in MS patients requiring treatment with natalizumab.