Detection of Merkel cell polyomavirus in chronic lymphocytic leukemia T-cells

► Whole blood was collected from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). ► Lymphocytes were isolated/separated into T- and B-cell populations by flow cytometry. ► RT-PCR was used to detect Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA. ► MCPyV was detected only in T-cells, not B-cells, from CLL samples.