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Review
. 2022 Jul 21;13(7):1290.
doi: 10.3390/genes13071290.

BK Virus Infection and BK-Virus-Associated Nephropathy in Renal Transplant Recipients

Margherita Borriello  1 , Diego Ingrosso  1 , Alessandra Fortunata Perna  2 , Angela Lombardi  1 , Paolo Maggi  3 , Lucia Altucci  1 , Michele Caraglia  1   4
Affiliations
Review

BK Virus Infection and BK-Virus-Associated Nephropathy in Renal Transplant Recipients

Margherita Borriello et al. Genes (Basel). .

Abstract

Poliomavirus BK virus (BKV) is highly infective, causing asymptomatic infections during childhood. After the initial infection, a stable state of latent infection is recognized in kidney tubular cells and the uroepithelium with negligible clinical consequences. BKV is an important risk factor for BKV-associated diseases, and, in particular, for BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVN) in renal transplanted recipients (RTRs). BKVN affects up to 10% of renal transplanted recipients, and results in graft loss in up to 50% of those affected. Unfortunately, treatments for BK virus infection are restricted, and there is no efficient prophylaxis. In addition, consequent immunosuppressive therapy reduction contributes to immune rejection. Increasing surveillance and early diagnosis based upon easy and rapid analyses are resulting in more beneficial outcomes. In this report, the current status and perspectives in the diagnosis and treatment of BKV in RTRs are reviewed.

Keywords: BK virus infection; BKV nephropathy; biomarkers; early diagnosis; miRNA; renal transplanted recipients; urine biomarkers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical Sketch of BKV Genome. Early Genes Region: T-Ag (Large T antigen), T’-Ag (alternatively-spliced T-Ag), t-Ag (small T antigen); NCCR: Non-Coding Control Region; Late Genes Region: Agno (Agnoprotein), VP1–3 (viral capsid proteins).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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