Anti-JC Virus Antibody Prevalence in Riga East University Hospital Multiple Sclerosis Patients

  • Jekaterina Rozenfelde (Speaker)
  • Alise Kuznecova (Co-author)

Activity: Talk or presentation typesPoster presentation

Description

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease that can affect the brain and spinal cord. In Latvia there are around 2000 people living with MS. There is a possible development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in MS patients who are John Cunningham virus (JCV) positive and on disease-modifying therapies, specifically natalizumab. It is estimated that about 50-70% of the general EU (European Union) population has been exposed to JCV, but infection is generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals. Aim of the study: Detect the prevalence of JCV antibodies among MS patients in Riga East University Hospital. . This is a retrospective study based on a database analysis of JCV serology index of 158 MS patients from Riga East University Hospital. The acquired data was analysed using IBM MS office Excel.. A total of 158 MS patients (92 women, 66 men) aged 18 to 76 years from Riga East University Hospital were tested for JCV antibodies in serum in the period from 01.09.2019. to 18.10.2022. 104 (66%) patients had positive JCV antibodies. 7 (4.6%) patients were tested more than once. In all cases, JCV antibody status did not change with repeated testing. The minimal JCV antibody index in serum was 0.21, maximal index 4.87 and average 2.05±1.52.. Conclusion. Positive JCV antibodies among MS patients in Riga East University Hospital are detected as often as in the general EU population. No cases of JCV status change were diagnosed.
Period29 Mar 2023
Event titleRSU Research week 2023: Society. Health. Welfare
Event typeConference
Conference number9
OrganiserRīga Stradiņš University
LocationRiga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational