Detection of BK polyomavirus genotypes to predict the development of BK polyomavirus‐associated complications in kidney transplant recipients: A retrospective analysis

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OBJECTIVES: This study focused on the role that BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) genotypes can play in the development of BKPyV-associated complications in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: A retrospective observational study (January 2015 to April 2018) was conducted by analyzing BKPyV genotypes in 180 blood samples with detectable BKPyV viral load (VL) > 1000 copies/mL, from 63 renal transplant recipients. VL and BKPyV genotypes detections were based on real-time PCR (rt-PCR)-specific assays. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (44/63 [69.8%]) were men, and the median age was 55.0 (interquartile range 49.0-66.0 years). Eleven patients had clinical manifestations (11/63 [17.5%]). The most frequently detected genotypes were I (14/63 [22.2%]) and II (13/63 [20.6%]). Half of the patients (33/63 [52.4%]) had a mixed genotype, most with genotypes I and II (25/33 [75.8%]). Patients with infection by mixed genotypes showed VLs that were detected earlier (in the first year after transplantation) than those with a single genotype (25/33 [75.8%] vs 13/30 [43.3%], P = .009) and demonstrated greater risk of developing clinical manifestations associated with BKPyV (odds ratio 12.609, 95% confidence interval 1.503-105.807). Moreover, patients with first BKPyV VL > 10 000 copies/mL more frequently presented mixed genotypes (12/16 [75.0%] vs 21/47 [44.7%], P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: The probability of developing clinical manifestations is higher in infections by mixed genotypes. Therefore, the detection of BKPyV genotypes by rt-PCR can provide relevant information to stratify patients' risk of BKPyV-associated complications and guide the clinical management of BKPyV infection in kidney transplant recipients.