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Polyomaviruses of the skin
Author(s) -
Sheu J.C.,
Tran J.,
Rady P.L.,
Dao H.,
Tyring S.K.,
Nguyen H.P.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.17947
Subject(s) - merkel cell polyomavirus , polyomavirus infections , merkel cell carcinoma , merkel cell , human skin , biology , virology , dermatology , disease , immunology , medicine , pathology , bk virus , genetics , kidney , carcinoma , kidney transplantation
Summary Human polyomaviruses (HPyV) are small viruses that are known to infect humans. Altogether, 14 different types of polyomaviruses have been discovered in humans, and since the 2008 discovery of the first cutaneous (skin) polyomavirus, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), six more species have been found in the skin: Trichodysplasia spinulosa polyomavirus (TSPyV), HPyV6, HPyV7, HPyV9, HPyV10, and HPyV13. Of these cutaneous species, only MCPyV, TSPyV, HPyV6, and HPyV7 have been shown to have a definite link with diseases of the skin. MCPyV is a main cause of Merkel cell carcinomas. TSPyV is one of the factors that causes trichodysplasia spinulosa. HPyV6 and HPyV7 have been recently linked to itchy skin rashes. The roles of HPyV9, HPyV10, and HPyV13 in causing skin disease, if any, are still unknown, but their molecular features have provided some insight into the way they function. In this review, the authors, based in the U.S.A., summarize the known molecular mechanisms, clinical presentation (e.g. symptoms), and targeted therapies (treatments) of each of the seven cutaneous human polyomaviruses. The authors hope that increased awareness and recognition by medics of human polyomaviruses will lead to increased reports of human polyomavirus‐associated diseases and a better understanding of how to diagnose and treat these conditions.