Amplification of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus From Skin Swab Specimens

Polyomaviruses are a class of DNA-based viruses that infect vertebrates, including humans. A majority of humans are chronically infected with multiple polyomavirus types. In immunocompetent subjects, chronic polyomavirus infection is generally harmless. A recently-discovered virus called Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is believed to chronically infect the skin of a substantial fraction of adult subjects. It has recently been shown that MCV DNA can be amplified from skin swab specimens using PCR methods. The goal of our study is to recover full-length (5.5 kb) MCV genomes from skin swab specimens taken from healthy laboratory volunteers. We will recombine any recovered MCV genomes and attempt to propagate them in cell culture. If successful, the work would provide the first laboratory culture model for MCV replication. The recombinant DNA work has received approval from the NIH Institutional Biosafety Committee

Our study population would be drawn from roughly two dozen co-workers in the Lab of Cellular Oncology's Building 37 Sections. LCO co-workers are an appealing study population because they are generally familiar with the biology of MCV. Candidate study participants will be reminded that, given the high prevalence of asymptomatic MCV infection among healthy adults, the detection of MCV DNA in skin swabs clearly cannot be construed as having any diagnostic, clinical or social significance.

Subjects who agree to participate in the study will wipe a cotton swab across their forehead and eyebrows. Study subjects will break off the end of the swab into a microcentrifuge tube. To avoid study participation during federal work hours, the specimen collection will be performed prior to or after the study subject's work shift. Each sample will be assigned a letter code. A key for the letter code will exist only in Dr. Buck's secure NCI server space.

Given the non-invasive nature of the sampling and the clear lack of potential harm arising from study participation, the proposal appears to be eligible for expedited review by the IRB's Special Studies section.