Seroprevalence of Merkel cell polyomavirus in the general rural population of Anyang, China.

BACKGROUND: Despite the probably causal link between Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive skin malignancy, little is known about the seroepidemiology of MCPyV among healthy adults in China. METHODS: Serum antibodies against MCPyV were evaluated by multiplex serology in a population-based study of 5548 adults (including 1587 heterosexual couples) aged 25-65 years who were enrolled from rural Anyang, China in 2007-2009. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the risk factors for the seropositivity of MCPyV. RESULTS: The seroprevalence for MCPyV was 61.0%. MCPyV seropositivity was significantly higher in males than in females (64.5% vs. 57.7%, P