BK-Virus

The BK virus (human polyomavirus 1) is jointly owned by the JC virus to known polyomaviruses. It is a DNA virus. The BK virus was first isolated in 1971 in the urine of a renal transplant patient with the initials BK, so this name was given to the virus.

Importance

In healthy ( immunocompetent ) people a BK virus infection is without any relevance. There is no known specific disease that is triggered by an infection, not even for the primary infection. In immunocompromised patients, however, a BK virus infection lead to serious problems. For renal transplant human BK virus can lead to a gradual deterioration in function and eventually even to the loss of the transplant by causing a so-called BK nephropathy. The BK virus is often found in the urine in the late occurring form of hämhorrhagischen cystitis after bone marrow transplantation.

Epidemiology

The infection rate of the general population with the BK virus and JC virus is about 75%. The BK virus is transmitted by direct contact with urine infections, respiratory droplets or contaminated drinking water. It persists in the kidney and central nervous system, the transfer can only take place when an excretion of the virus is in progress, which are made exclusively with a weakened immune system (eg during pregnancy ).

Diagnostics

Detection of BK virus in blood, urine or cerebrospinal fluid out by the evidence of their DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Due to the high prevalence in the population antibody determinations on BK virus are not very meaningful. Since patients with weakened immune systems have often increased viral DNA levels, positive PCR results for BK virus can also be obtained if no corresponding disease is present. The actual diagnostic value of PCR is that an infection can be ruled out with her.

129981
de