Antibodies to BK virus in children prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2015 Sep;62(9):1670-3. doi: 10.1002/pbc.25536. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

Abstract

BK virus (BKV) is associated with kidney and bladder disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) but less is known about the seroprevalence of pre-transplant antibodies to BKV in children. We measured BKV IgG antibody titers in 36 children before HCT. BKV IgG antibodies were detected in all 36 patients, with 28/36 (77.8%) developing BK viremia in the first 100 days. Pre-HCT BKV IgG antibody titers >1:40,960 were protective against later BK viremia ≥10,000 copies/ml. The seroprevalence of antibodies to BKV is high in children undergoing HCT and post-transplant BK viremia, which is associated with bladder and kidney injury, is common.

Keywords: BK virus; hematopoietic cell transplant; humoral immunity; pediatrics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • BK Virus / immunology*
  • BK Virus / isolation & purification
  • BK Virus / physiology
  • Child
  • Cystitis / etiology
  • Cystitis / virology
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Hematuria / etiology
  • Hematuria / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polyomavirus Infections / blood
  • Polyomavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Polyomavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Risk
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Transplantation Conditioning / adverse effects
  • Tumor Virus Infections / blood
  • Tumor Virus Infections / epidemiology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / immunology*
  • Viral Load
  • Viremia / epidemiology
  • Viremia / etiology
  • Virus Activation*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral