Renal dysfunction by BK virus infection is correlated with activated T cell level in renal transplantation.
BACKGROUND
BK virus (BKV) is known to be associated with nephropathy. Here, we investigated the relationships between BKV levels, T-cell activation, and kidney function in kidney transplant recipients.


METHODS
In renal transplant patients and controls, urine BKV levels were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, and the percentage of activated T lymphocytes in blood was determined by flow cytometry. The correlations between viral load, activated T cell percentage, and renal function were determined.


RESULTS
Urine BKV viral loads and the activated T cell percentage were significantly elevated in transplant recipients. Correlational analysis indicated that transplant recipients that had BKV levels of more than 10(6) copies/mL and an activated T lymphocyte percentage of less than 20% were likely to have poor renal function.


CONCLUSIONS
Urine BKV levels and the percentage of activated T lymphocytes can be used as clinical indices to optimize the dosage of immunosuppressive drugs.
Department of Surgery, Buddhist Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan; Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
Ming-Che
MC
Lee
Ming-Chi
MC
Lu
Ning-Sheng
NS
Lai
Su-Chin
SC
Liu
Hui-Chun
HC
Yu
Teng-Yi
TY
Lin
Shueh-Ping
SP
Hung
Hsien-Bin
HB
Huang
Wen-Yao
WY
Yin
D000328:Adult; D001739:BK Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D019562:Viral Load