Determination of DNA from Poliovirus (BKV) by PCR (Blood)

General Information

Human polyomaviruses—JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV)—are equally common and do not cause disease in immunocompetent individuals (that is, when the immune system is functioning properly).

70% of the DNA nucleotide sequences of JC and BK viruses are identical.

Primary infection with BK virus occurs in childhood and is asymptomatic. After the infection is cleared, the virus remains latent (hidden) only in the kidney and urinary system.

Reactivation of the BKV virus occurs in immunocompromised conditions and polyomavirus-associated nephropathy develops, especially after kidney or other organ transplantation. It is also possible to develop urethral stenosis. Rarely, however, the development of hemorrhagic cystitis is also possible.

The clinical picture of polyomavirus nephropathy is similar to that of post-transplant rejection and is characterized by elevated plasma creatinine levels, fever, and hematuria.

DNA testing for the BKV form of poliovirus is recommended for the diagnostics of virus-associated kidney damage; To determine the degree of nephropathy in the period after kidney transplantation - to adjust the dosage of immunosuppressive treatment.

Preparation of the patient: no need

Referral norm: There is no virus within the norm.

Interpretation of results:

The detection of BKV poliovirus DNA in blood is important to exclude rather than to confirm polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, as it has a negative predictive value of 100% and a positive predictive value of 55%. It is necessary to consider PJR data in correlation with the clinical picture of the patient.