Risk factors for BK virus infection in living-donor renal transplant recipients: a single-center study from China

Objectives: BK virus (BKV) infection has become one of the main complications in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) with the arrival of newer potent immunosuppressive agents. However, reports on the epidemiology of BKV infection and risk factors in Chinese population after renal transplantation are scarce. Methods: From June 2015 to July 2016, living-donor renal transplant recipients (LDRTRs) who routinely received the quantitative BKV DNA testing of urine and plasma samples using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the first time after transplantation were selected, while dialysis patients and healthy living donors during that period served as controls. Potential variables were compared and analyzed using logistic regression model multivariate analysis to assess the BKV infection related factors in LDRTRs. Results: Among the 52 LDRTRs identified, BKV DNA was detected in 16 urine samples (30.8%), significantly higher than that of dialysis patients (6.3%) and healthy living donors (4.2%) (p