To investigate whether polyomaviruses contribute to interstitial cystitis pathogenesis.
A prospective study was performed with 50 interstitial cystitis cases compared with 50 age-matched, disease-free controls for the frequency of polyomaviruria.
Associations between polyomaviruria and disease characteristics were analysed in cases. Polyomavirus in urine and bladder tissue was detected with species (JC virus vs. BK virus) specific, real-time PCR.
Case patients were reflective of interstitial cystitis epidemiology with age range from 26-88 years (median 58) and female predominance (41/50 F). There was a significant increase in the frequency of polyomavirus shedding between cases and controls (p
The presence of polyomaviruria was found to be associated with the ulcerative form of interstitial cystitis. Clorpactin, which has anti-DNA virus activity, was more likely to improve symptoms in the presence of BK viruria. These data from this pilot study suggest associations between polyomaviruria and interstitial cystitis warranting further investigation.
PloS one. 2015 Sep 01*** epublish ***
Benjamin J Winter, Helen E O'Connell, Scott Bowden, Marcus Carey, Damon P Eisen
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. , Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. , Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Wreckyn St, North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. , Department of Urogynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. , Victorian Infectious Diseases Service at the Doherty Institute, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.