[1] HPyV9 was first discovered in 2011 by generic PCR used to screen clinical samples from patients who were immunocompromised for various reasons.

The virus was identified in a sample from a kidney transplant recipient and sequenced to reveal a genome of typical polyomavirus structure, particularly closely related to the African green monkey lymphotropic polyomavirus (LPV).

In studies that profile polyomavirus seroprevalence, or prevalence of detectable antibodies against viral proteins indicating either past or present exposure in immunocompetent adults, HPyV9 tends to have a relatively lower prevalence compared to other human polyomaviruses.

Estimates of HPyV9 prevalence have ranged from approximately 30–50%, with conflicting evidence about the presence of any effects of gender and age on observed seroprevalence.

[8] HPyV9 infections that persist over time and involve continuous shedding have not been observed, although this does occur for other human polyomaviruses.