JC virus infection in allograft kidneys - Analysis by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry

Background Polyoma virus nephropathy after transplantation is believed to be primarily due to the BK virus. me hypothesized that some eases may be associated with the SC polyoma virus (JCV), which is also known to be latent in the kidney. Methods. We sought polymerase chain reaction evidence of JCV infection in needle biopsy specimens with and without viral nephropathy. Cases positive by polymerase chain reaction were studied by immuno-histochemistry for VP-1. antigen expression. Results. JCV DNA was found in 7 (36,8%) of 19 allograft kidney biopsy specimens with viral nephropathy and 0 (0%) of 19 native or allograft biopsy specimens without viral nephropathy. Immunohistochemistry localized JCV to the nuclei of tubular epithelial cells fn one case. Conclusions. JCV is detectable in a subset of renal allograft kidneys with polyoma virus nephropathy. The tubular epithelium is identified as a site capable of supporting JCV viral capsid protein VP-I expression, and hence viral replication.