BK Virus Infection (Viremia) Natural History in Renal Transplant Recipients

Natural History of Infection Caused by BK Virus (and Other Opportunistic Viral Pathogens) in Renal Transplant Recipients

The objectives of this study is to establish the natural history of BK virus viremia and other possible opportunistic viral pathogens in renal transplants recipients.

This is a Natural History study in renal or renal-pancreas transplant recipients. In an effort to capture patients early in the course of an evolving BK virus infection and avoid patients who have already developed evidence of BKV-induced nephropathy (BKVN), this protocol will emphasize the initiation of screening in the early post-transplant period. Patients who have undergone renal or renal/pancreas transplantation within 4 weeks, but not more than 90 day previously, will be asked to participate and then consented to be enrolled in a Natural History-Surveillance period for up to approximately 24 months. Participants enrolled in this study will provide valuable natural history data regarding BKV viremia, and potentially other viral pathogen, in the post-renal transplant period. Participants will provide blood samples to undergo measurement for plasma BKV DNA by PCR approximately every 6 weeks, to be resulted in real time at the UAB Diagnostic Virology Laboratory at UAB.

Inclusion Criteria:

Renal or renal-pancreas transplant patients who are within 4 weeks and not more than 90 days post-transplant with or without qualifying BKV viremia Age greater than or equal to 18 years; Provides written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Evidence of proven or suspected BKVN by clinical or pathologic diagnostic criteria Loss of renal graft function Initiation of chronic dialysis