BK viremia in critically ill surgical patients with hemorrhagic or septic shock

Maximilian Nass,Moritz Huber,Benedikt Weissbrich,Elisabeth Marion Schneider,Manfred Weiss

doi:10.1186/1756-0500-5-100

Maximilian Nass, Moritz Huber + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-100

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Abstract

BackgroundInfections with polyomavirus BK virus (BKV) are a common cause of renal dysfunction after renal transplantation and may also be harmful in surgical patients with shock. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of BKV viremia in critically ill surgical patients with septic or hemorrhagic shock, and, if viremia is detectable, whether viremia may be associated with renal dysfunction.FindingsA total of 125 plasma samples from 44 critically ill surgical patients with septic or hemorrhagic shock were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for BKV DNA during their stay on the intensive care unit (ICU). BKV viremia occurred in four patients, i.e. in three of the septic and in one of the hemorrhagic shock group. There was no association between viremia and renal dysfunction. All positive samples contained a low viral load (< 500 copies/ml).ConclusionsSince BK viremia was rarely found and with low viral load only in critically ill surgical patients with shock, it is very unlikely that BK viremia results in BK nephropathy later on.

Highlights

Infections with polyomavirus BK virus (BKV) are a common cause of renal dysfunction after renal transplantation and may be harmful in surgical patients with shock
Since BK viremia was rarely found and with low viral load only in critically ill surgical patients with shock, it is very unlikely that BK viremia results in BK nephropathy later on
All surgical patients admitted to the Anaesthesiology adult intensive care unit (ICU) between August 2008 and December 2008 with severe SIRS/sepsis, septic or haemorrhagic shock on admission or developing septic or haemorrhagic shock on the ICU were included in the present study, in total, 51 cases ≥ 18 years with shock

Summary

Introduction

Infections with polyomavirus BK virus (BKV) are a common cause of renal dysfunction after renal transplantation and may be harmful in surgical patients with shock. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of BKV viremia in critically ill surgical patients with septic or hemorrhagic shock, and, if viremia is detectable, whether viremia may be associated with renal dysfunction. Infections with BK virus (BKV) are an increasing problem and a common cause of renal dysfunction after allograft renal transplantation [1,2]. Kaneko and colleagues reported prevalence of BKV in urine samples in about 13.5% of the healthy control group, 33.3% of patients with chronic renal disease, and 55.6% of patients with renal disease under cortisone therapy [4]. Since the appearance of a BKV nephropathy was strongly associated with the viral load detected in renal transplant patient’s

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