Ecology of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Healthy Skin Among Individuals in an Asian Cohort.

Background: Despite the oncogenic potential of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), it has been found in the normal skin of healthy individuals; however, little is known about geographical variations in the ecology of MCPyV in this tissue.

Methods: This study included 284 Japanese participants. Sun-unexposed arm and sun-exposed forehead skin swab samples were obtained and analyzed for MCPyV infection, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Prevalence of human cytomegalovirus, polyomaviruses, and oncogenic viruses in glioblastoma among Japanese subjects.

Background: The association between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is becoming a new concept. However, information on the geographic variability of HCMV prevalence in GBM remains scarce. Moreover, the potential roles of various viruses, such as polyomaviruses and oncogenic viruses, in gliomagenesis remain unclear.