title: BK Viremia among Iranian Renal Transplant Candidates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary infection with BK virus (BKV) is occurred during childhood and usually asymptomatic, but after initial infection, BKV may persist lifelong in the kidney and genitourinary tract. Reactivation may occur in individuals with compromised immunity such as renal transplant recipients. Due to the role of BKV in BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) and potentially renal allograft rejection, the detection of BKV in renal transplant candidates is very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of BK viremia in end stage renal disease cases who were candidates for renal transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 50 cases with end stage renal disease who were candidates for renal transplantation were recruited from the main dialysis unit in Tehran, Iran. Presence of BK viremia was determined in plasma samples of cases using real time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 50 renal transplant candidates with mean age 37.8±13 yr were enrolled in the study. Fifty two percent of subjects were male. Forty six (92%) of them were under HD and 4 (8%) were on PD. BK virus was not detected in any plasma samples of renal transplant candidates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed absence of BK viremia in our renal transplant candidates. However, due to the important role of BKV in BKVAN and renal graft failure and rejection, further studies involving larger number of cases are required to elucidate the rate of the BKV in renal transplant candidates.
authors: Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors: Manizheh
authors: M
authors: Jozpanahi
authors: Clinical Research Dept., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Amitis
authors: A
authors: Ramezani
authors: Hasheminejad Kidney Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Shahrzad
authors: S
authors: Ossareh
authors: Iranian Society for Support of Patients with Infectious Diseases, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Banifazl
authors: Clinical Research Dept., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Anahita
authors: A
authors: Bavand
authors: Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Setareh
authors: S
authors: Mamishi
authors: Clinical Research Dept., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Arezoo
authors: A
authors: Aghakhani
keywords: BK virus (BKV) Prevalence; Renal transplant candidates