Immunohistochemical detection of KI polyomavirus in lung and spleen

Little is known about the tissue tropism of KI polyomavirus (KIPyV), and there are no studies to date describing any specific cell types it infects. The limited knowledge of KIPyV tropism has hindered study of this virus and understanding of its potential pathogenesis in humans. We describe tissues from two immunocompromised patients that stained positive for KIPyV antigen using a newly developed immunohistochemical assay targeting the KIPyV VP1 (KVP1) capsid protein. In the first patient, a pediatric bone marrow transplant recipient, KVP1 was detected in lung tissue. Double immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that approximately 50% of the KVP1-positive cells were CD68-positive cells of the macrophage/monocyte lineage. In the second case, an HIV-positive patient, KVP1 was detected in spleen and lung tissues. These results provide the first identification of a specific cell type in which KVP1 can be detected and expand our understanding of basic properties and in vivo tropism of KIPyV.