Abstract
BK virus is ubiquitously present in the latent state in humans, and awareness of the importance of BK polyomavirus is emerging among the kidney transplant community. First discovered in 1971 in the urine of a renal transplant recipient, BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) has come to be recognized as a significant cause of genitourinary disease and potential graft loss in the kidney transplant patient. In this review, we discuss the risk factors, available methods of diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, and current approaches to therapy of BKVN.
MeSH terms
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Algorithms
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Antibodies, Viral / blood
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
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BK Virus / genetics
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BK Virus / pathogenicity*
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Biopsy
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DNA, Viral / analysis
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
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Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Kidney Transplantation*
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Nephritis, Interstitial / etiology
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Nephritis, Interstitial / virology*
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Polyomavirus Infections* / diagnosis
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Polyomavirus Infections* / drug therapy
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Polyomavirus Infections* / etiology
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Postoperative Complications / virology*
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Risk Factors
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Tumor Virus Infections* / diagnosis
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Tumor Virus Infections* / drug therapy
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Tumor Virus Infections* / etiology
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Urine / virology
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Viral Load
Substances
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Antibodies, Viral
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Antiviral Agents
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DNA, Viral
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Immunosuppressive Agents