title: BK polyomavirus in kidney transplant recipients: screening, monitoring and clinical management.
abstract: BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a causal agent of nephropathy, ureteral stenosis and hemorrhagic cystitis in kidney transplant recipients, and is considered an important emerging disease in transplantation. Regular screening for BKPyV reactivation mainly during the first 2 years posttransplant, with subsequent pre-emptive reduction of immunosuppression is considered the best option to avoid disease progression, since successful clearance or reduction of viremia is achieved in the vast majority of patients within 6 months. The use of drugs with antiviral properties for patients with persistent viremia has been attempted despite unclear benefits. Clinical manifestations of BKPyV nephropathy, current strategies for diagnosis and monitoring of BKPyV infection, management of immunosuppressive regimen after detection of BKPyV reactivation and the use of antiviral drugs are discussed in this review.
authors.affiliation: Fluminense Federal University.
authors.forename: Rafael Brandão
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Varella
authors.affiliation: Fluminense Federal University.
authors.forename: Jorge Reis
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Fluminense Federal University.
authors.forename: Patrícia de Fátima
authors.initials: Pde F
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Fluminense Federal University.
authors.forename: Jorge Paulo Strogoff de
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Fluminense Federal University.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.affiliation: Fluminense Federal University.
authors.forename: Jocemir Ronaldo
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lugon
mesh_terms: D001739:BK Virus; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*