Is early life exposure to polyomaviruses and herpesviruses associated with obesity indices and metabolic traits in childhood?

Background Evidence for an infectious origin of obesity is emerging. We explored whether common viruses were associated with obesity and metabolic traits. Methods We used cross-sectional (n=674) and prospective (n=440) data from children participating at the 4 and 6 years of age follow-up in the Rhea birth cohort. Presence of IgG antibodies to ten polyomaviruses (BKPyV, JCPyV, KIPyV, WUPyV, HPyV6, HPyV7, TSPyV, MCPyV, HPyV9, and HPyV10) and four herpesviruses (EBV, CMV, HSV-1, and HSV-2) were measured at age 4. Body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness were measured at age 4 and 6. Data on serum lipids, leptin, and adiponectin were also available. Multivariable linear regression models were used to explore the associations. Results At 4 years of age, seroprevalence to polyomaviruses ranged from 21.0% for HPyV9 to 82.0% for HPyV10. Seroprevalence for EBV, CMV, HSV-1, and HSV-2 was 53.0%, 26.0%, 3.6%, and 1.5% respectively. BKPyV seropositivity was associated with lower BMI SD score at age 4 [-0.21 (95% CI: -0.39, -0.03)] and 6 [-0.27 (95% CI:-0.48, -0.05)], waist circumference at age 4 [-1.12 cm (95% CI: -2.10, -0.15)] and 6 [-1.73 cm (95% CI: -3.33, -0.12)], sum of four skinfolds [-2.97 mm (95% CI: -5.70, -0.24)], and leptin levels at age 4 [ratio of geometric means, 0.83 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.98)]. CMV seropositivity was associated with higher BMI SD score at age 4 [0.28 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.45)] and 6 [0.24 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.45)] and sum of four skinfolds at age 6 [4.75 mm (95% CI: 0.67, 8.83)]. Having "2-3 herpesviruses infections" (versus "0 herpesvirus infections") was associated with higher BMI SD score [0.32, (95% CI: 0.12, 0.53)], waist circumference [1.22 cm (95% CI: 0.13, 2.31)], and sum of four skinfolds [3.26 mm (95% CI: 0.18, 6.35)] at age 4. Polyomaviruses burden was not associated with outcomes. Conclusions A higher herpesviruses burden and CMV seropositivity were associated with obesity traits in childhood.