Polyomavirus BK in Renal Transplantation: Virological Notes for Monitoring and Diagnosis

Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy was first reported more than 50 years ago, however it still represents a cause of renal injury, with occurrence rates of 1%-10%, particularly in the firs two years following kidney transplantation. The role played by immunesuppression in viral reactivation is well aknowledged and the modulation of immunesuppression level is the main strategy for the management. Viral and immu-nological evaluation are fundamental for optimizing the diagnostic and clini-cal-therapeutic pathway. In this review, main features of polyomavirus BK and asso-ciated nephropathy will be addressed from a virological point of view.