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What is the BK virus in kidney?

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.

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.

What are the symptoms of BK polyomavirus?

Changes in the color of your urine (urine that is brown or red in color)

  • Pain when you urinate.
  • Difficulty urinating.
  • Needing to urinate more than is normal for you.
  • A cough, cold, or trouble breathing.
  • Fever, muscle pain, or weakness.
  • Seizures.

    • Can BK virus be treated?

    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.

    Does BK virus go away?

    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.

    How do you beat BK virus on a kidney transplant?

    In conclusion, routine screening for BK virus reactivation and active use of graft biopsy are the most reliable ways to overcome BK virus infection in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

    How do I lower BK virus?

    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 prevent BK virus?

    Current guidelines recommend routine, regular screening posttransplantation to detect either BKV viruria or viremia. Patients who are persistently positive should undergo a reduction in immunosuppression with the aim of reducing viral replication and preventing the progression to BKV nephropathy (preemptive therapy).

    • July 25, 2022

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