What is a high level of BK virus?
A high level of BK viruria (≥ 25 million copies/mL) was found in 110 (30.1%) patients. At least 1 blood or biopsy BK test was available for all patients. Blood tests for BKV DNA were available for 361 patients, and 52 (14.4%) were positive.
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.
How long does BK virus last?
Mild cases of BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis usually resolve spontaneously over a 2-week period with supportive care. With significant bleeding, severe urinary tract obstruction may occur because of clot formation.
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.
How do I lower 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 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.
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.
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.
How do you treat BK cystitis?
Weekly intravenous low-dose cidofovir was shown to be an effective, safe treatment for BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis. Weekly intravenous administration of low-dose cidofovir precludes the use of probenecid, making it a cost-effective treatment.
How do I know if I have BK virus?
SCREENING TESTS. 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.
Does BK virus cause fever?
The BK virus rarely causes disease but is typically associated with patients who have had a kidney transplant; many people who are infected with this virus are asymptomatic. If symptoms do appear, they tend to be mild: respiratory infection or fever. These are known as primary BK infections.
Where does the BK virus come from?
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.