Detection of JCV or BKV viruria and viremia after kidney transplantation is not associated with unfavorable outcomes

Studies analyzing the relationship between BK polyomavirus (BKV) or JC polyomavirus (JCV) infection and kidney transplant (KT) long term clinical outcomes are scarce. Therefore, we evaluated this relationship in a single-center retrospective cohort of 288 KT patients followed for 45.4(27.5; 62.5) months. Detection of BKV viremia in two consecutive analyses led to discontinuation of antimetabolite and initiation of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. Outcome data included de novo BKV and/or JCV viremia and/or viruria after KT, death-censored graft survival and patient survival. BKV viruria and viremia were detected in 42.4% and 22.2% of KT recipients, respectively. BKV viremic patients had higher urinary BKV viral loads at the onset of viruria, when compared to nonviremic patients (7 log₁₀ vs. 4.9 log₁₀ cp/mL, p < 0.001). JCV viruria was identified in 38.5% of KT patients; the 5.9% of KT recipients who developed JCV viremia had higher JCV urinary viral loads at the onset of viruria, when compared to non-viremic patients (5.3 vs. 3.7 log₁₀ cp/mL, p = 0.034). No differences were found in estimated glomerular filtration rate at the end of follow up, when comparing BKV or JCV viruric or viremic patients with nonviremic patients. No association was found between JCV or BKV viruria or viremia and death/graft failure. Therefore, higher BKV urinary viral loads at the onset could serve as an early maker of over immunosuppression. JCV and BKV replication was not associated with inferior clinical outcomes in KT patients with the above-mentioned immunosuppression strategy.