Jc Virus Seroprevalence and Seroconversion in Multiple Sclerosis Cohort: A Middle-Eastern Study Publisher Pubmed



Alroughani R^{1, 2} ; Akhtar S³ ; Ahmed SF^{4, 5} ; Khoury SJ⁶ ; Alhashel JY^{4, 7} ; Sahraian MA⁸ ; Al Jumah M^{9, 10} ; Zeineddine M⁶ ; Farhat S¹¹ ; Doumiati H¹¹ ; Yamout BI⁶
Source: Journal of the Neurological Sciences Published:2016

Abstract

Objectives To estimate JCV seroprevalence and risk of seroconversion against JCV among MS patients in the Middle East. Methods This multicenter study was conducted by implementing a cross-sectional design to assess JCV seroprevalence, and a longitudinal design to assess the risk of JCV seroconversion. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between clinical variables and JCV seropositivity and risk of seroconversion. Results Of 581 MS patients, 64.9% patients were females. Mean age and mean disease duration were 33.9 and 8.4 years respectively. JCV seroprevalence was 48.7%. Male gender (p = 0.002), age at onset (p = 0.001) and disease duration of 20 or more years (p = 0.007) were significantly associated with JCV seropositivity. Among patients (n = 125), followed longitudinally, the risk of JCV seroconversion was 17.6% (95% CI: 11.4%-25.4%) during a median follow-up of 18 months. The proportion of seroreverted and pseudoconverted patients was 4% and 3.2% respectively. Conclusions JCV seroprevalence among MS patients in the Middle East was lower than international figures. Male gender, age at onset and disease duration were significantly associated with JCV seropositivity. Risk of JCV seroconversion was higher than previously reported figures. Observed JCV sero-reversion or pseudo-conversion entail watchful period before embarking on a clinical decision. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.