BK Polyomavirus: Clinical Aspects, Immune Regulation, and Emerging Therapies

Overview

Journal Clin Microbiol Rev

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2017 Mar 17

PMID 28298471

Citations 80

Authors

George R Ambalathingal

Ross S Francis

Mark J Smyth

Corey Smith

Rajiv Khanna

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

BK polyomavirus (BKV) causes frequent infections during childhood and establishes persistent infections within renal tubular cells and the uroepithelium, with minimal clinical implications. However, reactivation of BKV in immunocompromised individuals following renal or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may cause serious complications, including BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), ureteric stenosis, or hemorrhagic cystitis. Implementation of more potent immunosuppression and increased posttransplant surveillance has resulted in a higher incidence of BKVAN. Antiviral immunity plays a crucial role in controlling BKV replication, and our increasing knowledge about host-virus interactions has led to the development of improved diagnostic tools and clinical management strategies. Currently, there are no effective antiviral agents for BKV infection, and the mainstay of managing reactivation is reduction of immunosuppression. Development of immune-based therapies to combat BKV may provide new and exciting opportunities for the successful treatment of BKV-associated complications.

Citing Articles

Transferrin Saturation Can Serve as a Novel Biomarker for Predicting the Occurrence and Development of BK Virus-Related Nephropathy After Kidney Transplantation.

Yan Y, Wang Z, Feng Y, Qiu Y, Qi Y, Cheng F J Med Virol. 2025; 97(3):e70213.

PMID: 40022475 PMC: 11871415. DOI: 10.1002/jmv.70213.

The association between serum tacrolimus concentrations and BK viruria in kidney transplant recipients.

Kraivisitkul N, Noppakun K, Sakuludomkan C, Jirawattanapong S, Kwangsukstith S, Dukaew N Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):2872.

PMID: 39843551 PMC: 11754913. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-86465-2.

BK Polyomavirus and acute kidney injury in transplant recipients: signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms.

Bizhani S, Afshari A, Yaghobi R Virol J. 2025; 22(1):2.

PMID: 39755619 PMC: 11700467. DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02620-7.

Evidence of prostate cancer-linked virus zoonoses from biophysical genomic variations.

Alsufyani D, Lindesay J PeerJ. 2024; 12:e18583.

PMID: 39655325 PMC: 11627076. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18583.

BK Polyomavirus Infection of Bladder Microvascular Endothelial Cells Leads to the Activation of the cGAS-STING Pathway.

Brustikova K, Ryabchenko B, Liebl D, Hornikova L, Forstova J, Huerfano S J Med Virol. 2024; 96(11):e70038.

PMID: 39487659 PMC: 11600483. DOI: 10.1002/jmv.70038.

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