Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant Recipients

BK virus (BKV) reactivation is a significant complication in renal transplant recipients, often leading to BK viremia and BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), which can compromise graft survival. While the routine monitoring of BKV DNA in blood aids in early detection, identifying pre-transplant...

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Main Authors: Deema Ibrahim Fallatah, Steve Christmas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Immuno
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5601/5/2/16
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author Deema Ibrahim Fallatah
Steve Christmas
author_facet Deema Ibrahim Fallatah
Steve Christmas
author_sort Deema Ibrahim Fallatah
collection DOAJ
description BK virus (BKV) reactivation is a significant complication in renal transplant recipients, often leading to BK viremia and BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), which can compromise graft survival. While the routine monitoring of BKV DNA in blood aids in early detection, identifying pre-transplant risk factors remains a challenge. This study investigates the role of pre- and post-transplant anti-BKV IgG levels and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles in predicting BKV reactivation. The hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 renal transplant recipients, stratified into viremic, non-viremic, and BKVAN groups. Anti-BKV IgG levels were measured pre-transplant, at viremia onset, and post-viremia using ELISA. BKV DNA was detected via qPCR, and HLA typing was performed using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) hybridization. Statistical analyses included Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox regression models. Pre-transplant anti-BKV IgG seropositivity was higher in viremic (94%) and BKVAN (100%) patients than in non-viremic recipients (66.6%). Post-transplant IgG levels increased significantly in viremic recipients (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HLA-B44 and HLA-DR15 were significantly associated with increased BKV viremia risk (<i>p</i> = 0.02 and <i>p</i> = 0.01, respectively). Pre-transplant anti-BKV IgG levels and specific HLA alleles influence BKV reactivation risk. These findings highlight the potential for integrating serological and genetic screening into pre-transplant assessments to improve risk stratification and post-transplant monitoring strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-2b81a506118b4ec3ada9a191bcf023732025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGImmuno2673-56012025-05-01521610.3390/immuno5020016Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant RecipientsDeema Ibrahim Fallatah0Steve Christmas1Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi ArabiaInstitute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, Ronald Ross Building, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool L69 7BE, UKBK virus (BKV) reactivation is a significant complication in renal transplant recipients, often leading to BK viremia and BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), which can compromise graft survival. While the routine monitoring of BKV DNA in blood aids in early detection, identifying pre-transplant risk factors remains a challenge. This study investigates the role of pre- and post-transplant anti-BKV IgG levels and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles in predicting BKV reactivation. The hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 renal transplant recipients, stratified into viremic, non-viremic, and BKVAN groups. Anti-BKV IgG levels were measured pre-transplant, at viremia onset, and post-viremia using ELISA. BKV DNA was detected via qPCR, and HLA typing was performed using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) hybridization. Statistical analyses included Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox regression models. Pre-transplant anti-BKV IgG seropositivity was higher in viremic (94%) and BKVAN (100%) patients than in non-viremic recipients (66.6%). Post-transplant IgG levels increased significantly in viremic recipients (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HLA-B44 and HLA-DR15 were significantly associated with increased BKV viremia risk (<i>p</i> = 0.02 and <i>p</i> = 0.01, respectively). Pre-transplant anti-BKV IgG levels and specific HLA alleles influence BKV reactivation risk. These findings highlight the potential for integrating serological and genetic screening into pre-transplant assessments to improve risk stratification and post-transplant monitoring strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5601/5/2/16renal transplantationBK viremiaanti-BKV IgGBKV nephropathytransplant immunologyviral reactivation
spellingShingle Deema Ibrahim Fallatah
Steve Christmas
Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant Recipients
Immuno
renal transplantation
BK viremia
anti-BKV IgG
BKV nephropathy
transplant immunology
viral reactivation
title Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant Recipients
title_full Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant Recipients
title_fullStr Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant Recipients
title_full_unstemmed Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant Recipients
title_short Pre- and Post-Transplant Anti-BKV IgG Responses and HLA Associations in BK Virus Reactivation Among Renal Transplant Recipients
title_sort pre and post transplant anti bkv igg responses and hla associations in bk virus reactivation among renal transplant recipients
topic renal transplantation
BK viremia
anti-BKV IgG
BKV nephropathy
transplant immunology
viral reactivation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5601/5/2/16
work_keys_str_mv AT deemaibrahimfallatah preandposttransplantantibkviggresponsesandhlaassociationsinbkvirusreactivationamongrenaltransplantrecipients
AT stevechristmas preandposttransplantantibkviggresponsesandhlaassociationsinbkvirusreactivationamongrenaltransplantrecipients