Definition of JC virus

JC virus: (JCV) A virus that commonly causes infections of no consequence in children with a normal immune system but which is responsible for an infection of the brain and spinal cord called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in people with AIDS and other forms of immune system impairment. JC virus is also the primary cause of nephropathy (kidney disease) in people who have received a kidney transplant and are on immunosuppressive therapy.

The JC virus is a human polyomavirus. It is a small virus with a closed circular genome consisting of double-stranded DNA. The letters JC are the initials of a patient with PML from whose brain the virus was first isolated. The cellular receptor for JCV on glial cells is a serotonin receptor.