title: Polyomavirus BK replication in liver transplant candidates with normal renal function.
abstract: Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) has a predilection for kidney rather than for other solid organ transplants such as the liver. Immunosuppression is widely recognized to be a major risk factor for PVAN development. Since end-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients are immunocompromised and immunosuppression is a major cause of BK virus reactivation, we sought to evaluate BK virus replication in patients listed for liver transplantation. From April to October 2010, we enrolled 20 patients listed for liver transplantation. BK virus load was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction on plasma and urine samples. Viremia occurred in only 1 among 20 patients. We hypothesized that in ESLD patients, the low prevalence of BK virus infection may be related to the prevalent impairment of antibacterial immunity rather than to the viral-specific one. In BK virus reactivation, not only the immunodepressive state itself, but also the specific immunologic mechanisms involved may have a role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. annapaola.mitter@uniromal.it
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Mitterhofer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tinti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mordenti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pietropaolo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colosimo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ginanni Corradini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brunini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poli
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Berloco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taliani
mesh_terms: D001739:BK Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007668:Kidney / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D014766:Viremia; D014779:Virus Replication; D014850:Waiting Lists
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral