A Prospective Longitudinal Study of BK Virus Infection in 104 Renal Transplant Recipients
Article first published online: 19 MAY 2005
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.00934.x
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How to Cite
Bressollette-Bodin, C., Coste-Burel, M., Hourmant, M., Sebille, V., Andre-Garnier, E. and Imbert-Marcille, B. M. (2005), A Prospective Longitudinal Study of BK Virus Infection in 104 Renal Transplant Recipients. American Journal of Transplantation, 5: 1926–1933. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.00934.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 4 JUL 2005
- Article first published online: 19 MAY 2005
- Received 27 October 2004, revised 18 February 2005 and accepted for publication 7 March 2005
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Keywords:
- BK virus;
- genetic variability;
- plasma;
- renal transplantation;
- urine;
- viral load
BK virus (BKV) infection during the first year after renal transplantation was studied prospectively in 104 unselected consecutive patients. Viral DNA in urine (DNAuria) and plasma (DNAemia) samples was detected and quantified by real-time PCR. The noncoding control region (NCCR) of BKV isolates was sequenced.
DNAuria and DNAemia occurred in 57% and 29% of patients, respectively. Three groups were defined, uninfected patients (group 1, n = 45), patients with DNAuria (group 2, n = 29) and patients with positive DNAemia (group 3, n = 30). Active infection started within the first 3 months in 80% of patients. Cold ischemia duration over 24 h and the administration of tacrolimus were identified as significant risks factors for DNAuria, whereas it remains more frequently negative in patients receiving cyclosporine A. The risk for positive DNAemia was higher in patients with DNAuria (notably for viral load (VL) >4 log/mL) or treated with tacrolimus. No relationship was found with genetic variability in the NCCR sequence.
Our data highlight the high frequency of active BKV infection after renal transplantation. Although high VL was detected in some patients, none developed a BKV nephropathy. A prospective follow-up of the whole population during the first year post renal transplantation is thus not useful to predict BKV disease.

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