[BK virus in kidney allografts: a search for histologic evidence of the infection].
BACKGROUND
BK virus (BKV) associated interstitial nephritis is a complication in renal transplantation recipients. Its incidence is controversial. The aim of the present study is to determine the incidence of histopathologic evidence of BKV-infection in a single centre.


METHODS
Renal allograft tissue samples (n = 838) from 526 patients undergoing renal transplant were evaluated by light microscopy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for BKV DNA was performed in 41 microdissected cell populations from cases with viral inclusions, cases with other nuclear changes, and cases without nuclear changes.


RESULTS
Polyomavirus-inclusions were identified in six cases (five with interstitial nephritis and other one with only urothelial infection). In one case with interstitial nephritis the DNA was degraded. PCR confirmed BKV infection in the other five and was negative in cases without inclusions.


CONCLUSIONS
Five patterns of inclusions bodies are observed and they appear to be characteristic. PCR assay seemingly have a high specificity for BKV detection and it does not usually detect latent viral infection.
Arias
L F
LF
Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid.
Alvarez
T
T
González
L
L
Sanz
J
J
Sánchez-Fructuoso
A
A
Marqués
M
M
Prats
D
D
Saiz-Pardo
M
M
Sáez
M C
MC
Hernández
S
S
Barrientos
A
A
Blanco
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001739:BK Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D019737:Transplants / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral