BK polyomavirus infection after kidney transplantation: risk and prevention
Abstract
The aim of the research described in this thesis was to obtain more insight in the risk factors of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection after kidney transplantation (KTx), with special emphasis on pretransplantation related risk factors. Both donor and recipient as well as viral factors, were investigated. The ultimate goal was to identify reliable predictive markers of BKPyV infection after KTx, thereby providing opportunities to optimize and personalize the currently recommended BKPyV screening strategy. Chapter Two describes the correlation between pretransplantation donor-recipient pair seroreactivity against BKPyV and development of BKPyV viremia and BKPyVAN after KTx. In Chapter Three the stability of BKPyV seroreactivity in KTRs and healthy blood donors, and the correlation of BKPyV seroreactivity with preceding viremia in KTRs is described. In Chapter Four the reduced risk of BKPyV infection in HLA-B51 positive recipients after KTx is described. Chapter Five describes the development and evaluation of a Luminex bead-based multiplex immunoassay for BKPyV serotyping. In Chapter Six the application of the Luminex bead-based multiplex immunoassay for BKPyV serotyping is described in a cohort of KTx donor-recipient pairs. In the General Discussion implications for prediction of BKPyV infections in recipients after KTx, as well as suggestions for further research are described.

