Are Human Polyomaviruses (BKV) Transmitted by Blood Transfusion: Data from LUX-PCR Analysis

The Polyomaviridae family includes ubiquitous viruses with specific host spectra. Human polyomavirus BK (BKV) was discovered in 1971 and shortly after that became evident that around 80% of adults had anti-BKV antibodies. This raised important questions connected with its mode of transmission and pathogenesis. Nowadays they are still unclear (Sessa, 2008). Following primary infection, which is generally asymptomatic, the virus persists lifelong in the majority of population. It establishes latent infection principally in uroepithelial cells but also B lymphocytes and tissues (spleen, brain) might be involved. Under different immune alterations BKV can be reactivated, and depending on the level of immunosuppression, the symptoms vary from asymptomatic viruria and viremia to serious dysfunction of the affected organ (Hirsch, 2003).