High titers of antibodies to two human polyomaviruses, JCV and BKV, correlate with increased frequency of chromosomal damage in human lymphocytes.

Associations of antibody titers to the JC and BK human polyoma viruses and the frequency of chromosome aberrations (CA) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied. Study group consisted of 33 workers occupationally exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation and 11 control persons. There were no statistically significant differences in the JC and BK virus titer values between two groups of donors. It was found that JC and BK virus titers explained approximately 6% of total inter-individual variation in CA frequency. Such factors as alcohol abuse, age and, in this special group, exposure to ionizing radiation explained an additional 53% of the total variation in CA frequency. In six clean-up workers and one control, rogue cell (cells with multiple chromosome-type aberrations) were found. The incidence of rogue cells correlated significantly with JC and BK virus titers as well as a history of recent acute respiratory disease.