BK viral infection: A review of management and treatment

Abstract

BK viral infection remains to be a challenging post-transplant infection, which can result in kidney dysfunction. The mainstay approach to BK infection is reduction of immunosuppression. Alterations in immunosuppressive regimen with minimization of calcineurin inhibitors, use of mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors, and leflunomide have been attempted with variable outcomes. Over the past few years, investigators have explored potential therapeutic options for BK infection. Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis and treatment was found to have no benefit in kidney transplant recipients. The utility of cidofovir is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Intravenous immunoglobulin is becoming a popular option for treatment and prophylaxis for BK infection, as it increases the neutralizing antibody titers against the most common BK virus serotypes. Virus-specific T cell therapy is an emerging treatment option for BK viremia. In this review, we will explore management and therapeutic options for BK infection and recent evidence available in literature.

Keywords: BK infection; Kidney transplant; Treatment; Management

Core Tip: BK viral infection is a significant post-transplant infection, which can result in kidney dysfunction if left unaddressed. The mainstay approach to BK infection is reduction of immunosuppression. Data on specific therapies have remained equivocal. In this article, we will review recent evidence available in literature on treatment approaches to BK viral infection.