HLA mismatching increases the risk of BK virus nephropathy in renal transplant recipients

BK virus (BKV) nephropathy is a serious complication in kidney transplant recipients that may lead to irreversible graft failure. We have analyzed the degree of donor/recipient HLA compatibility and HLA antigen association in 40 kidney transplant patients with BKV nephropathy in comparison with a control group of 404 unaffected transplant recipients who were on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression with no induction. HLA compatibility was assessed by determining the number of HLA-A, -B, -DR-mismatched antigens. BK virus nephropathy was diagnosed histologically and confirmed by immunochemistry. Univariate and multiple logistic regression statistical analyses have shown a significant association between BKV nephropathy and HLA mismatching. This analysis showed also that BKV nephritis is associated with a greater number of rejection episodes and a higher incidence of steroid-resistant rejection requiring antilymphocyte treatment. There was no association between BKV nephropathy and any specific HLA allele. We propose that HLA mismatching promotes the development of BKV nephropathy through rejection-related inflammatory processes and heavy immunosuppression which cause virus reactivation and injury of the tubular epithelium.