No evidence of WU polyomavirus infection in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: In 2007, a novel human polyomavirus, WU (WUPyV), was identified in respiratory secretions from patients with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). WUPyV has been proposed to be a pathogen in ARTI in early life and immunocompromised individuals, but so far its role as a causative agent of respiratory disease remains controversial. Other human polyomaviruses (BK, JC) are known to cause persistent or latent infections and are reactivated under certain circumstances. Objective: To determine the prevalence of WUPyV infections in German adult hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of chronic o…