title: Quantification and identification of polyomavirus DNA in blood and urine of renal transplant recipients.
abstract: A cohort of 201 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) including 7 patients with evidence of renal function deterioration (as defined by creatinine levels >20% over baseline values) was analyzed for polyomavirus DNA in blood and urine samples by a new quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. Of 201 patients, 14 (6.9%) were positive for polyomavirus DNA in blood (median level, 500 copies per milliliter of blood) including all 7 patients with renal function deterioration. Polyomavirus DNA detection in blood for diagnosis of renal function deterioration in KTR showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96%, whereas positive and negative predictive values were 50% and 100%, respectively. Diagnostic value of decoy cells detection and polyomavirus DNA quantification in urine samples was negligible.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Virologia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baldanti
authors.forename: Gian Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Fogazzi
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furione
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saglimbeni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovida
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paolucci
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarantino
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001739:BK Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral