How did BK virus get its name?

BK virus (BKV) belongs to the human Polyomaviridae, initially isolated from urine sample of a 29-year-old male patient with renal blockage and failure at 1971. BK virus is an abbreviation of the name of the first patient whom the virus was isolated from.

What is the real name of BK virus?

BK virus is also called polyomavirus.

Who was the first patient with BK virus?

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.

Does BK virus go away?

Elimination of BKV DNA occurs during a period of 6 mo with either an antiviral agent or reduction in immunosuppressive therapy (50,53). At our center, we follow quantitative plasma BKV DNA and renal function every 2 wk for 8 wk then monthly thereafter until clearance of BK viremia and stabilization of renal function.

What disease does BK virus cause?

BK virus is estimated to cause a progressive kidney transplant injury in 1-10% of renal transplant recipients. Actual damage in the kidney can be detected by a kidney biopsy. Kidney injury develops late in the course of BK virus disease and screening and early treatment is beneficial for long-term transplant survival.

BK Virus

What is the survival rate of BK virus?

During a 10-year follow-up period, the prognosis of BKVAN was poor compared to the control group. The 10-year graft survival rate in the BKVAN group was 36.9%, and that in the control group was 93.1%. The 10-year patient survival rate in the BKVAN group was 66.9%, and that in the control group was 92.9%.

What medication is used to treat the BK virus?

- Leflunomide is an immunosuppressant agent with in vitro antiviral properties against BKV [11,66-68]. Several studies have utilized Leflunomide as a substitute agent for mycophenolate to treat BKV-HC [11,69]. Its use is concomitant with a fall in BK viral load.

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 you get rid of BK virus in kidney transplant?

Drugs with anti‐polyoma effects such as cidofovir, leflunomide, FK778, and fluoroquinolones have also been used to enhance viral clearance and/or suppression. Some studies have also incorporated intravenous immunoglobulin to the regimen.

Can BK virus affect the heart?

Human BK polyomavirus (BKV) infection is poorly documented in heart and lung transplant patients. BK viruria and viremia have been estimated to affect 19% and 5% of heart transplant recipients, respectively.

How can you prevent BK virus?

We review strategies to prevent BKV infection in kidney transplant recipients: prophylaxis with quinolone antibiotics, vaccination of recombinant viral particles to illicit a humoral immune response, and adoptive transfer of BKV-specific T cells.

Can you have BK virus in urine but not blood?

BK virus is detectable in both blood and urine. After BK reactivation, the virus is first detectable in the urine, with viremia developing several weeks later. There have been isolated case reports of patients developing viremia without viruria, but this is unusual.

What are the stages of BK virus?

(A) Stage A: viral cytopathic changes in nearly normal renal parenchyma, (B) Stage B: more severe cellular damage with a combination of viral cytopathic changes and focal/multifocal areas of tubular atrophy and/or interstitial fibrosis, and (C) Stage C: extensive tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis.

What is the biggest virus name in the world?

Mimivirus is the largest and most complex virus known.

Does BK virus cause pain?

In the most serious cases, BK can spread to the eyes, lungs or brain. If you have any of these signs, contact your transplant coordinator: Increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine lab values, which may indicate a decrease in kidney function. Pain, discomfort or problems urinating.

How many people have BK virus?

It is thought that up to 80% of the population contains a latent form of this virus, which remains latent until the body undergoes some form of immunosuppression. Typically, this is in the setting of kidney transplantation or multi-organ transplantation.

What happens to your immune system after a kidney transplant?

As mentioned, after you receive a kidney transplant, your immune system is weakened by medications. This puts you at a heightened risk of infection, so you must be diligent about avoiding infection. Attend your follow-up appointments and stay up to date on your vaccinations, including the flu vaccine.

How long does IVIg take to work on BK virus?

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIg; Privigen®) 1g/kg monthly for 2 months with immunosuppression reduction. Resolution of BK viremia by 3 months post-enrollment. Resolution is defined as a decrease in viral load of BKV in the plasma to <1000 copies/mL.

What is the most common virus after renal transplant?

CMV and BKV are the most common causes of viral infection after kidney transplantation. However, clinical presentations vary; therefore, well-trained transplant physicians need to be aware of this so that they can take care of the patients accordingly.

Which vaccine should be avoided after kidney transplant?

People who have received a kidney transplant should not get any sort of live vaccine. These include: Nasal flu vaccines (live attenuated influenza) Chickenpox (varicella)

What is a high level of BK virus?

We defined BK viremia as >2,000 copies/mL in the blood sample.

Can you stop a transplanted kidney from rejecting?

How do is rejection treated? Treatment is with stronger immunosuppressant medicines. If the transplant rejection is picked up early, it can usually be treated successfully. It is possible for rejection to cause an organ to fail completely, but this is unusual.

Is BK virus common in kidney transplant patients?

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 are the complications of BK virus?

Up to 20-30% of patients with BK virus associated nephropathy can lose the transplanted kidney graft. Hemorrhagic cystitis and ureteral stenosis can progress to renal obstruction and renal failure. Hemorrhagic cystitis can result in uncontrolled bleeding.

Where is BK virus located?

After primary infection, BK virus persists mostly in the renal tubular epithelial cells and the uroepithelium, in a latent form.