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ABSTRACT
In recent years viral serology based on virus-like particles (VLPs) in ELISA has become widely used. We have developed a polyomavirus-specific ELISA using purified VLPs containing the VP1 major capsid protein of JC virus (JCV). The JCV VLPs were produced in yeast cells from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and electron microscopy. The optimum concentrations of JCV VLP protein and the respective reagents used to perform ELISA were determined. We have applied this VLPs-based ELISA to detect the presence of specific antibodies to JCV in serum samples from Bulgarian population. We found 32% and 90% JCV seropositivity among children 1–3 years of age and adults, respectively. The human polyomaviruses JCV commonly infect humans but viruses remain latent following primary infection. JCV reactivation occurres under conditions of severe immunosuppression and can induce progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In recent years a possible association of JCV with human cancer has been reported. With its suitability for large-scale testing, the VLP-based ELISA for JCV is likely to contribute to a better understanding of the biology of these viruses and to serological diagnosis in patients at risk of polyomavirus-associated diseases.