Abstract
BK virus (BKV) is a Polyomavirus which was discovered in the 1970s and is one of the major pathogens in kidney transplantation recipients since the use of new powerful immunosuppressive drugs began. Nearly half of kidney transplant patients can develop BKV replication and up to 10 % of them may progress to nephropathy (BKVN) which potentially leads to graft loss. These patients are particularly affected since BKV persists in the reno-urinary tract and can therefore be transmitted from donor to recipient. As no specific antiviral treatement is currently available, the management of BKV infection is based on viral load monitoring and immunosuppressive therapy reduction, which is unsatisfactory due to the risk of graft rejection. This article presents what is currently known on BKV pathophysiology and immune response, and the perspectives in terms of diagnosis, prognosis as well as prevention strategies against BKV infection.
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