Transplantation: polyomavirus nephropathy and the risk of specific immunosuppression regimens.
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.
Wu
Christine
C
Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. wucm@msx.upmc.edu
Randhawa
Parmjeet
P
McCauley
Jerry
J
D000465:Algorithms; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001739:BK Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001706:Biopsy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014556:Urine / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents