Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Respiratory Tract Secretions

Abstract

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), associated with Merkel cell carcinoma, was detected in 27 of 635 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples by real-time PCR. MCPyV was more commonly found in adults than in children. Presence in the upper respiratory tract may be a general property of human PyVs.

Keywords

• Merkel cell polyomavirus
• nasopharyngeal aspirate
• real-time PCR
• age-related prevalence
• dispatch
• Sweden