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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry

Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry

Published on: July 13, 2019

BK virus sequences in specimens from aborted fetuses.

Renzo Boldorini¹, Sara Allegrini, Umberto Miglio

¹Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy. renzo.boldorini@med.unipmn.it

Journal of Medical Virology

|October 29, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

BK polyomavirus (BKV) can cross the placenta, infecting fetal organs like the heart and lungs. This study found BKV in 70% of aborted fetuses, suggesting transplacental transmission is possible.

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Area of Science:

Virology
Perinatology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Conflicting previous studies exist regarding BK polyomavirus (BKV) transplacental transmission.
Understanding BKV's role in pregnancy is crucial due to potential fetal implications.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the molecular evidence of BK polyomavirus (BKV) transplacental transmission.
To determine the prevalence and latency sites of BKV in aborted fetuses and placentas.

Main Methods:

Retrospective molecular study analyzing 10 aborted fetuses and 10 placentas.
PCR analysis using primers for BKV's transcription control region (TCR) and viral capsidic protein 1 (VP1).
DNA extraction from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded fetal tissues (brain, heart, lung, thymus, liver, kidney) and placental samples.

Main Results:

BKV genome detected in 36.6% of samples (22/60) from 70% of fetuses (7/10).
VP1 and TCR fragments amplified in 54% and 32% of samples, respectively.
BKV sequences found most frequently in fetal heart and lung, showing high genomic variability.

Conclusions:

BK polyomavirus (BKV) can successfully cross the placenta during pregnancy.
BKV establishes latency in fetal organs beyond the kidney and brain, potentially early in gestation.
Transplacental BKV transmission does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of abortion.