Symptomatic BK virus cystitis in non-renal transplant recipients

BK virus is implicated most commonly in causing BK virus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients. However, on rare occasions, it can also produce symptomatic cystitis in other solid organ transplant recipients.

Retrospective review of 2,149 non-renal solid organ transplant recipients over a 6-year period to evaluate patients for cases of symptomatic BK virus cystitis.

Three patients (two heart transplant recipients and one lung transplant recipient) are reported herein with symptomatic BK virus cystitis. These patients responded to reduced immunosuppressive medication with a reduction in viral load in two instances, and the third patient appeared to have an apparent response to prolonged levofloxacin treatment.

A high index of suspicion should be exercised in non-renal solid organ transplant recipients (particularly heart and lung transplant recipients) who have symptoms consistent with cystitis but have a negative urine bacterial culture.