Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy: critical issues in virological monitoring.
Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy is one of the most common viral complications in renal transplant recipients. Viral replication is the single common feature of all patients at risk of nephropathy. Therefore, screening for virus replication allows for the identification of patients at risk of developing nephropathy and permits earlier intervention, in particular a pre-emptive reduction of immunosuppression, with improvement of outcome. This paper describes the modes of virological monitoring and its role in the clinical management of renal transplant patients.
Virology Unit, Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Turin, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria San Giovanni Battista di Torino, Italy. rossana.cavallo@unito.it
Rossana
R
Cavallo
Massimiliano
M
Bergallo
Francesca
F
Sidoti
Sara
S
Astegiano
Maria Elena
ME
Terlizzi
Cristina
C
Costa
D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008403:Mass Screening; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000502:physiology*; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D014779:Virus Replication