Cross-sectional study of BK virus infection in pediatric kidney transplant recipients

BKV reactivation is associated with impaired graft function in adult kidney transplant patients. The clinical impact of BKV infection in the pediatric transplant population has not yet been fully evaluated. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of BKV infection in consecutive pediatric kidney transplant recipients in our center. Forty consecutive unselected pediatric kidney transplant recipients were studied. Mean age at screening was 15.6 +/- 5.3 yr and samples were obtained a median of 60.5 months after transplantation (3-123). BKV-DNA was analyzed in urine and plasma by qualitative nested-PCR. A review of the literature was performed. Prevalence of viruria and viremia was 50% and 12.5%, respectively. Viremia was associated with the presence of hematuria (p = 0.02). The mean creatinine level in children without BKV replication was 1.6 mg/dL, BKV viruria was 0.9 mg/dL, and BKV viremia was 0.8 mg/dL. A literature review showed that viruria and viremia were found in 28.2% and 8.5% of cases, respectively; BKV nephropathy was found in 3.8% and graft loss in 11% of the patients with BKV nephropathy and in 0.4% of the children studied. Recipient serostatus was the most important risk factor. The rate of BKV replication and nephropathy among pediatric kidney recipients is similar to that of adults, but the incidence of graft loss is significantly lower.