What is the normal range for BK virus?

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.

What is BK virus quantitative PCR?

BK Virus DNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR, Plasma – This test is used to determine the presence of BK Virus DNA in patient’s specimens. Detection of the virus in these specimens may be indicative of an active infection, as PCR detects the presence of the virus, and not the host’s reaction to the virus.

What is BK virus in urine?

BK virus (BKV) is a ubiquitous polyoma virus, often acquired during childhood with a 80–90% seroprevalence rate among adults. The major sites of BKV appearance are the kidney tubular epithelial cells and urinary bladder surface transitional cells.

What is BK viral load?

Abstract. BK virus (BKV) is a nonenveloped, double-stranded DNA virus of the polyomavirus family that primarily affects immunocompromised people. BKV may cause nephropathy in renal transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, resulting in renal dysfunction and, possibly, graft loss.

How do I get rid of BK virus?

A BKV infection may go away on its own without treatment. If you take antirejection medicine, your healthcare provider may change or decrease your dose. You may also need any of the following: Medicines may be used to decrease pain, help your immune system, or kill the BK virus.

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.

How do you treat BK virus in kidney transplant?

The principal treatment for BKV nephropathy is reduction in immunosuppression. Various strategies include reduction or discontinuation of the calcineurin inhibitor and/or adjuvant agent, changing from MMF to azathioprine, sirolimus, or leflunomide or from tacrolimus to cyclosporine (38,49,52,53,55,85–87).

How do you treat BK virus in urine?

Cidofovir, an anti-viral agent with known nephrotoxic effects, has been successfully used in very low doses to treat patients with BKVAN, with serial measurement of the blood and urine BKV load with PCR assays. More recently several other agents have also been utilized to treat BKVAN, with variable success.

How does a person get the 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.

How long does it take to clear BK virus?

BK viremia cleared in 101 (96%) patients after a median of 137 days. In the patients who had clearance of the virus, 39% required tacrolimus reduction only, 43% required additional reduction of mycophenolic acid in 43% of the patients.

Where do you get BK virus?

BK virus belongs to the polyomavirus family and was named after a kidney transplant patient in whom it was originally identified. The BK virus is transmitted via respiratory tract secretions, saliva and urine and from mother to baby during childbirth.

How common is BK virus in kidney transplant?

Prevalence of BK viremia within 1 yr after transplantation is approximately 20% (6,14) and is higher than the prevalence of acute rejection of 13% reported for the year 2003 (15).

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

Leflunomide is an antiviral drug with immunosuppressant properties that is often administered to kidney transplant patients with BK infection. Drugs like cidofovir, another antiviral drug and fluoroquinolones are also used for the treatment of BK virus.