What is the BK virus in kidney?

BK virus (BKV) is a common opportunistic pathogen in kidney transplant recipients and one of the most challenging causes of allograft dysfunction and loss. This virus was named after a Sudanese kidney transplant recipient with ureteric stenosis who was the first patient to have BKV isolated from the urine.

How do you get rid of BK virus in kidney transplant?

Treatment

  1. The goal in treating BKV infection is to eliminate the virus while preserving renal function and preventing acute or chronic rejection.
  2. Discontinuation of a single immunosuppression agent, antimetabolite (MMF or azathioprine), upon recognition of viremia has been used successfully to clear viremia (49).

How do you get BK virus?

A BK virus (BKV) infection is a common viral infection that usually does not cause problems. The BK virus may be spread if you have contact with infected blood or body fluids, such as saliva. It can spread from one person to another during an organ transplant or from a mother to her baby during delivery.

What is BK allograft nephropathy?

Nephropathy from BK virus (BKV) infection is an evolving challenge in kidney transplant recipients. It is the consequence of modern potent immunosuppression aimed at reducing acute rejection and improving allograft survival. Untreated BKV infections lead to kidney allograft dysfunction or loss.

Is BK virus serious?

BK virus is a virus that most people get in childhood. Symptoms can feel like a common cold. Once you get a BK virus infection, the virus stays in your system for good. But it does not cause a problem for most people.

Is there a cure for BK virus?

BK virus, first isolated in 1971, is a significant risk factor for renal transplant dysfunction and allograft loss. Unfortunately, treatment options for BK virus infection are limited, and there is no effective prophylaxis.

What is BK virus treatment?

BK virus proliferation is well controlled by the host cellular immune response. Therefore, currently, the best treatment is reduction in immunosuppression to restore the host cellular immune response.

What is the normal range for BK virus?

The quantitative range of this assay is 2.6-8.6 log copies/mL (390-390,000,000 copies/mL). A negative result (less than 2.6 log copies/mL or less than 390 copies/mL) does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or BK virus DNA concentrations below the level of detection of the assay.

Does BK virus make you tired?

Symptoms can feel like a common cold. Once you get a BK virus infection, the virus stays in your system for good. But it does not cause a problem for most people. This is called latent, or like being ‘asleep’ in your body.