title: Prospective study of BKV nephropathy in 117 renal transplant recipients.
abstract: Nephropathy caused by poliomavirus (BKVAN) in transplant recipients is responsible for the loss of the transplanted organ. In this study we suggest a non-invasive diagnostic protocol for the early identification of BKVAN during follow-up treatments. In 117 kidney transplant recipients follow-up was performed every three months during a two year period after transplantation and a positive screening result was confirmed and assessed by quantitative assays (BKV DNA load in plasma and urine). The definitive diagnosis of BKV requires allograft biopsy. Of the 117 patients 4 had BKVAN (3.4%), and the consequential reduction of immunosuppression improved kidney function and plasma clearance of the virus was achieved.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, PO "Annunziata" AO, Cosenza, Italy. gircri@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giraldi
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noto
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tenuta
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perugini
authors.forename: Saveria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodaro
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spadafora
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lo Bianco
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Papalia
authors.forename: Rosita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bonofiglio
mesh_terms: D001739:BK Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001706:Biopsy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents