title: An Association between BK Virus Replication in Bone Marrow and Cytopenia in Kidney-Transplant Recipients.
abstract: The human polyomavirus BK (BKV) is associated with severe complications, such as ureteric stenosis and polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN), which often occur in kidney-transplant patients. However, it is unknown if BKV can replicate within bone marrow. The aim of this study was to search for BKV replication within the bone marrow of kidney-transplant patients presenting with a hematological disorder. Seventy-two kidney-transplant patients underwent bone-marrow aspiration for cytopenia. At least one virus was detected in the bone marrow of 25/72 patients (35%), that is, parvovirus B19 alone (n = 8), parvovirus plus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (n = 3), cytomegalovirus (n = 4), EBV (n = 2), BKV alone (n = 7), and BKV plus EBV (n = 1). Three of the eight patients who had BKV replication within the bone marrow had no detectable BKV replication in the blood. Neutropenia was observed in all patients with BKV replication in the bone marrow, and blockade of granulocyte maturation was observed. Hematological disorders disappeared in all patients after doses of immunosuppressants were reduced. In conclusion, an association between BKV replication in bone marrow and hematological disorders, especially neutropenia, was observed. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pambrun
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, CHU Purpan, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mengelle
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Haematology, CHU Rangueil, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fillola
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Haematology, CHU Rangueil, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laharrague
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cardeau-Desangles
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Bello
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, CHU Purpan, 31059 Toulouse, France ; Université Paul Sabatier, 31000 Toulouse, France ; INSERM U1043, IFR-BMT, CHU Purpan, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Izopet
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse, France ; Université Paul Sabatier, 31000 Toulouse, France ; INSERM U1043, IFR-BMT, CHU Purpan, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rostaing
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse, France ; Université Paul Sabatier, 31000 Toulouse, France ; INSERM U1043, IFR-BMT, CHU Purpan, 31059 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Nassim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamar