The infection can also spread from a mother to her baby during birth. Symptomatic flare up due to BK virus infection or reactivation may occur when a persons immunity is decreased in conditions such as:. Initial infection is usually asymptomatic, although sometimes mild symptoms such as fever or body aches may occur. More significant problems listed below, may arise when an infected person's immunity is reduced by use of drugs to manage an organ transplant:.
The role of BK virus in causing systemic lupus erythematosus and some cancers has also been suggested. The main treatment of BK virus infection is reduction in level of immunosuppression by adjusting immunosuppressive medications such as tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. Leflunomide is an antiviral drug with immunosuppressant properties that is often administered to kidney transplant patients with BK infection.
Drugs like cidofovir, another antiviral drug and fluoroquinolones are also used for the treatment of BK virus. Bladder irrigation is a continuous or intermittent flow of a saline or medicated solution passed through the bladder to wash out unwanted substances from the bladder.
Sometimes this procedure may be used to wash out any viral growth in the bladder in case of BK virus infection. In otherwise healthy people the presence of BK virus in the body is usually not harmful and the person can remain symptom-free for life. However, if the patient undergoes a kidney or bone marrow transplant, the virus tends to grow in the allograft or in the blood as the patient receives immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection.
Reduction of immunosuppressive medications is likely to suppress the viral load. Hemorrhagic cystitis bladder inflammation can be a challenging problem with BK virus infection. A diagnostic test for the presence of BK virus in blood or urine may be recommended before the surgery for transplantation. Show More Related Topics. Follow Medindia. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy , Privacy Policy , and our Terms of Use.
What is BK Virus Infection? How do doctors diagnose BK Virus Infection? Written by Himabindu Venkatakrishnan , B. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Last Updated on Mar 19, Infections after allogenic transplant with post-transplant cyclophosphamide: impact of donor HLA-matching.
Hearing Loss Calculator. Noscaphene Noscapine. Foods to Avoid in Kidney Failure. Cut back on salt, restrict your fluid intake and limit consumption of proteins if you suffer from kidney failure. Graphical explanation of removal of kidney. We developed a BKV screening protocol consisting of BKV polymerase chain reaction testing in blood starting 2 months after kidney transplantation and every 2 months thereafter, continuing through month 24 regardless of the allograft function.
Additional screening for 6 more months is performed in patients who receive anti-lymphocyte globulin for the treatment of acute rejection. Finally, all patients with otherwise unexplained allograft dysfunction are screened. Currently, work is being done investigating the use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors to treat BKV infection.
Trials are also ongoing evaluating cell-based therapies for BKV. Research to develop a vaccine or a direct-acting antiviral agent is in critical need and an area of research that should be given high priority.
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