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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry
Published on: July 13, 2019
Clinical utility of histological features of polyomavirus allograft nephropathy
Lillian W Gaber1, M Francesca Egidi, Robert J Stratta
1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, USA. lgaber@utmem.edu
Background:
The purpose of this study was to determine if histological features of polyomavirus allograft nephropathy (PVAN) are associated with the clinical presentation and outcomes of PVAN.
Methods:
We examined the histological features of initial and follow-up biopsies of 20 kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant recipients with PVAN during a time prior to routine surveillance. The subjects' demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were compared based upon classification of histological features of PVAN on initial biopsy.
Results:
Diabetes mellitus (45%) and a history of tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity (35%) appeared to be prevalent in subjects with PVAN. Although histological severity of PVAN did not predict or correlate with the clinical course of PVAN, subjects with pattern C on initial PVAN biopsy presented later posttransplant, had higher serum creatinine level at presentation, and had significant allograft deterioration at follow-up than subjects with either pattern A or B on initial biopsy. Resolution of PVAN was noted in 60% of follow-up biopsies and occurred more frequently in subjects with pattern B on initial biopsy. Most subjects developed chronic allograft nephropathy after PVAN and viral clearance did not abrogate the progression to chronic allograft nephropathy.
Conclusions:
These data indicate that histologic patterns of PVAN may have clinical correlation to disease presentation and prognosis.
