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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Rev Med Virol. 2015 Dec 14;26(2):102–114. doi: 10.1002/rmv.1866

TABLE 2.

Available diagnostic assays for JCV and PML

Assay Outcome Conclusion
Brain biopsy histopathology and/or Immunohistochemistry/In situ hybridization Classic triad of features:

  • Demyelination

  • Bizarre astrocytes

  • Oligodendrocytes with nuclear inclusions

 Gold standard for PML diagnosis
Brain biopsy Immunohistochemistry/In situ hybridization Detection of JCV DNA or proteins Definitive PML
qPCR for JCV DNA Positive in blood Viremia
Positive in urine Viruria
Positive in CSF Probable/Possible PML
qRT-PCR for JCV miRNA Positive in plasma or urine Latent JCV infection
HI or ELISA/STRATIFY Antibodies to JCV protein Latent JCV infection
JCV VP1-specific CTL (51Cr release or tetramer assays) Cellular Immunity to JCV Correlated to favorable outcome
L-selectin (CD62L) Positive Possible PML biomarker
C-reactive protein (CRP) Positive Possible PML biomarker
Agnoprotein Positive Possible PML biomarker
MRI Findings consistent with PML Probable/Possible PML