The Detection of BK Virus by Quantitative PCR of Plasma as Screening Test to Identify Renal Transplant Recipients at Risk of BK Virus Nephropathy

Background: BK virus infection and nephritis are increasing problems in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Increasing prevalence of this infection and nephritis have been correlated with newer immunosuppressive agent in recent years. Routine post-transplant screening for BK viremia prior to the occurrence of nephritis and the reduction in immunosuppressive therapy for subjects with BKV infection appear to be attractive objectives.Objectives: This study performed to screening for BK virus in blood to identify RTRs at risk of development BKV associated nephritis (BKVN) .Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 75 renal transplant recipients as a patients group, with 75 healthy adults as a control group, were involved in this study. Quantitative detection of BKV viral load in blood by real time PCR assay was done for the both groups.Results: This study revealed that 37% of the RTRs were positive for BK viremia by qPCR assay, While BKV has not detected in any one of the seventy five healthy persons of the control group, and about half (54%) of the recipients were identified as presumptive BKVN.Conclusion: This study suggests that qPCR assay of blood is an important screening test for detection of BKV infection in RTRs