Prevalence of polyomavirus positivity in urine after renal transplantation

Little is known about the timing of polyomavirus reactivation and its presence in urine after renal transplantation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of positive polyomavirus in urine at various time points after renal transplantation.

From November 2008 to August 2013, 279 renal transplant patients from our institution were included in this study. One urine sample was collected at 0-3, 4-6, 7-12, 13-24, 25-60, and ≥ 61 months after renal transplantation. A total of 394 urine samples were assessed for the presence of the BK and JC viruses with the use of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

BK virus was detected in the urine of one-third of patients during the first 6 months. Thereafter, the positivity rate decreased gradually to 12% >5 years after transplantation. The positivity rate for the JC virus in urine was 33%-49% regardless of the post-transplantation phase.

BK virus was detected more frequently in urine during the early phase after renal transplantation, whereas the JC virus was detected more consistently.