The BK virus is a member of the polyomavirus family. BK viral infections are typically asymptomatic in healthy individuals, however very mild symptoms may appear including mild respiratory infections and fever. Once an individual has been infected the virus disseminates to the kidneys and the urinary tract where it remains for the lifetime of the individual. Infections with BK virus in immunocompromised or immunosupressed patients are much more severe and may involve renal dysfunction. In fact, in kidney transplant patients the immunosupressive drugs required for the transplant may allow the virus to replicate within the graft, resulting in a disease called BK virus nephropathy (BKVN). It is thought that 1-10% of renal transplant patients progress to BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) and up to 80% of these patients are reported to have lost their grafts. The onset of nephritis can occur as early as several days post-transplant to as late as 5 years. The mode of transmission of the virus is not clear, however it has been suggested that BKV may be transmitted through respiratory fluids or urine, since infected individuals periodically excrete virus in the urine. This virus can be diagnosed by BKV blood & urine testing, in addition to carrying out a biopsy in the kidneys. PCR techniques are now widely used to identify the virus.

For research use only and NOT intended for in vitro diagnostics.