Detection of WU polyomavirus DNA by real-time PCR in nasopharyngeal aspirates, serum, and stool samples

BackgroundThe human WU polyomavirus (WUPyV) has been recently described as a novel virus in respiratory tract samples.ObjectiveTo investigate the viral load of WUPyV in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs), stool, and serum samples of pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract diseases.Study designWe established a real-time PCR for WUPyV DNA and tested NPA obtained between 2002 and 2007 from pediatric in-patients with acute respiratory tract diseases. In addition, 14 stool and 14 serum samples of children with WUPyV DNA positive NPA were analysed.ResultsWUPyV DNA was found in 5.2% of 1232 NPA. The median viral load in the NPA was 950 copies/ml (maximum 3.4E10 copies/ml). The WUPyV load in NPA was neither associated with the coinfection status nor with the clinical diagnoses. WUPyV DNA was found in 3 of 14 serum samples and in 2 of 14 stool samples. The WUPyV load in NPA tended to be higher in viremic children.ConclusionWUPyV DNA was found in NPA, serum, and stool of hospitalised children with acute respiratory tract diseases. Further studies are necessary to determine whether WUPyV is a human pathogen.