polyomavirusassociated

Polyomavirus-associated refers to conditions or diseases caused by viruses belonging to the polyomavirus family. Polyomaviruses are small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, birds, and mammals. Many polyomaviruses are ubiquitous in the human population and are often acquired during childhood, typically causing asymptomatic infections. However, under conditions of immunosuppression, such as organ transplantation or HIV infection, these viruses can reactivate and lead to a variety of pathological conditions.

In immunocompromised individuals, JC virus, a common human polyomavirus, can cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a severe and often fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. BK virus, another human polyomavirus, is frequently associated with nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients and hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant recipients. Other human polyomaviruses, such as Merkel cell polyomavirus, have been linked to specific cancers, most notably Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer. Research continues to identify new polyomaviruses and elucidate their roles in various diseases.