The polyomaviruses are small DNA viruses that can establish latency in the human host. The name polyomavirus is derived from the Greek roots poly-, which means “many,” and -oma, which means “tumours.” These viruses were originally isolated in mouse (mPyV) and in monkey (SV40). In 1971, the first human polyomaviruses BK and JC were isolated and subsequently demonstrated to be ubiquitous in the human population. From 2007 and 2012, at least eight other members of the Polyomaviridae family have been identified: KI polyomavirus (KIV), WU polyomavirus (WUV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), Human Polyomavirus 6 and 7 (HPyV6, HPyV7), the Trichodysplasia Spinulosa-associated Virus (TSPyV), the Human Polyomavirus 9 (HPyV9), and finally, the MW polyomavirus (MWPyV). While some of them are playing an etiological role in known disorders and malignancies in immunosuppressed patients, no specific human diseases have been associated to the infections of the others.

The recent identification of many components of the Polyomaviridae family that are able to infect humans represents a strong incentive for the scientific community to improve and increase the research on the potentialities of these viruses. Moreover, the ubiquity and persistent nature of polyomaviruses makes the mechanisms of their pathogenicity very challenging to define.

This international conference, that after ten years from the first edition comes back to Italy on the amazing scenery of the Lake Maggiore, will provide a unique forum for reporting the most recent discoveries and advances related to both basic scientists and clinicians.
The two and a half day conference will cover both the major and the newly discovered human polyomaviruses with presentations focused on molecular biology, pathogenesis, genetics and epigenetics, diagnosis and treatment.

For more information please visit www.bquadro-congressi.it