BKV Viremia and Development of De Novo DSA in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Overview

BK virus (BKV) viremia is a common complication of kidney transplantation. In 2008, we enacted a screening protocol to detect BKV infection at our institution. The cumulative incidence of BKV viremia at our center is 24%, with most cases being detected in the first year post-transplant. We have previously identified the development of de novo donor specific antibody as a consequence of BKV infection treated with immunosuppression reduction; in this report, we confirm our prior findings and extend them to include an association of both Class I and Class II antibodies with BKV viremia. While with a median time of 4 years follow up there was no difference in patient or allograft survival on the basis of BKV viremia. Identification of treatment strategies for BKV that will prevent complications such as donor specific antibodies should be a research priority in this area.