PATIENTS-METHOD
This retrospective, multicenter study was conducted with the
participation of 30 active renal transplant centers in Turkey. Inclusion
criteria were having a renal transplant, allograft biopsy-proven BKVN in
patients with blood and/or urine BKV DNA positivity, and complete access
to patient data. Cases without an allograft biopsy or missing data were
excluded from the study. Ethics committee approval was obtained from
Sakarya University Hospital, (approval date:16.12.2021; decision number:
E-71522473-050.01.04-92626-539).
Demographic data of patients, primary kidney diseases, donor
information, number of mismatches, immunosuppression status before
transplantation, induction IS regimens, baseline serum creatinine levels
and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), delayed graft function
(DGF) status, blood and/or urine BKV-DNA work-ups of the first 2 years
after transplantation, the maintenance IS treatments, the time of BKVN
diagnosis after transplantation, serum BKV DNA levels at the time of
diagnosis, the creatinine, eGFR and urine protein levels at the time of
diagnosis, the change in IS after diagnosis, the specific treatment for
BKVN (IVIG, quinolone, cidofovir, leflunomide), if any, allograft biopsy
findings, concomitant rejection status, additional treatments in cases
with rejection, the creatinine, eGFR and urine protein levels 3-6 months
after diagnosis of BKVN, and treatment, time elapsed between diagnosis
and last clinic visit, allografts’ and patient’s final outcomes,
retransplantation status, and recurrence rates after retransplantation
were analyzed.
Diagnosis of BKVN, It was diagnosed in the presence of SV40 positivity
and tubulointerstitial changes in kidney biopsy.