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BK virus is a polyoma virus in the same family of viruses as human papilloma and JC virus and has become recognized as an important causal infectious agent in complications after kidney transplant.
Tests generally appear in the order most useful for common clinical situations
| Test name: BK Virus, Quantitative PCR |
| ARUP #: 0090067 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction |
| Use: Exclude diagnosis of BKVAN |
| Limitations: Limit of quantification is 2.6 log copies/mL; if assay didn’t detect virus, result reported as “<2/6 log copies/mL”; if assay detected presence of virus but was unable to quantify copies, result reported as “not quantified” |
| Follow-up: Renal allograft biopsy required to make a definitive diagnosis of BKVAN |
| Test name: BK Virus, Quantitative PCR, Blood |
| ARUP #: 2002304 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction |
| Use: Detect BK virus infection and viral load quantitation |
| Limitations: Limit of quantification is 2.6 log copies/mL; if assay didn’t detect virus, result reported as “<2/6 log copies/mL”; if assay detected presence of virus but was unable to quantify copies, result reported as “not quantified” |
| Test name: BK Virus, Quantitative PCR, Urine |
| ARUP #: 2002310 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction |
| Use: Detect BK virus infection and viral load quantitation |
| Limitations: Limit of quantification is 2.6 log copies/mL; if assay didn’t detect virus, result reported as “<2/6 log copies/mL”; if assay detected presence of virus but was unable to quantify copies, result reported as “not quantified” |
| Test name: Cytology, Urologic |
| ARUP #: 8209704 |
| Methodology: Routine Cytopathologic Evaluation |
| Use: May be helpful if negative, but PCR and biopsy are more sensitive |
| Limitations: Positive test does not necessarily diagnose BKVAN |
| Follow-up: Biopsy or PCR is advised for positive test |
| Test name: Simian Virus 40 (SV-40) by Immunohistochemistry |
| ARUP #: 2004137 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of BK virus Stained and returned to client pathologist for interpretation; consultation available if needed |