Prospective study of BKV nephropathy in 117 renal transplant recipients.
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.
Giraldi
Cristina
C
Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, PO "Annunziata" AO, Cosenza, Italy. gircri@virgilio.it
Noto
Alessandra
A
Tenuta
Robert
R
Greco
Francesca
F
Perugini
Daniela
D
Dodaro
Saveria
S
Spadafora
Mario
M
Lo Bianco
Anna Maria
AM
Savino
Olga
O
Papalia
Teresa
T
Greco
Rosita
R
Bonofiglio
Renzo
R
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
D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents