JC virus genotyping offers a new means of tracing the origins of unidentified cadavers

There has been no reliable means of tracing the origins of unidentified cadavers but the recent finding that JC virus (JCV) can serve as a means of elucidating human migrations suggested that this virus may also be useful to trace the origins of unidentified cadavers. DNA samples extracted from renal tissue and urine were used as the template for PCR amplification of a 610 bp region (IG region) of the viral genome. We detected JCV DNA in 45% of the renal samples and in 33% of the urine samples and was detectable even 10 days after death. The sequences of the amplified IG regions could be used to determine the genotypes. We conclude that the JC virus genotype is a new marker useful for tracing the origins of unidentified cadavers. cadavers. JCV asymptomatically infects most humans during childhood [8, 9] and the same viral strain persists in the kidneys throughout life [10, 11, 12]. JCV DNA can be classified into at least 12 genotypes that occupy distinct domains in different parts of the world [6, 13] (Table 1). Here, we report that a 610 bp region (IG region) of the JCV genome [14], usually used for the identification of JCV genotypes, can efficiently be amplified by PCR from the kidneys or urine of cadavers, and that the sequences of the amplified IG regions can be used to determine the genotypes.