Let's talk about BK Viral Nephritis after a kidney transplant!

When someone receives a new kidney transplant, it is like getting a new life. But after such a major surgery, sometimes unexpected complications can arise. For example, a serious infection that can occur in a person who has had a kidney transplant is called BK Viral Nephritis. This can affect the functioning of your new kidney and even hinder the success of the transplant. But don't worry, if we are properly aware of this, there are ways to protect ourselves from this condition. So, let's talk about this in detail today.

What is this BK virus?

Simply put, BK virus nephritis is a dangerous infection caused by the reactivation of the BK polyomavirus, which has been dormant (latent) in your body after a kidney transplant. This virus was first discovered in 1971 in a kidney transplant patient with the initials "BK." That's why it's called the BK virus.

BK virus is actually a very common, often asymptomatic, respiratory infection that is spread through mucus-like secretions. A healthy person does not even feel that they have been infected with this virus. However, once the virus enters the body, it can remain dormant in our bodies for the rest of our lives, without causing any problems.

Research suggests that more than 80% of the world's population has antibodies against this virus. This means that almost all of us have been exposed to this virus at a young age. A normal person who does not have a kidney transplant will not be harmed by this virus in their body.

How can this be dangerous for someone who has had a kidney transplant?

After you have a kidney transplant, you will be given special medications to stop your body from rejecting the new kidney. These are called anti-rejection and immunosuppressant medications . These medications work by weakening your body's natural immune system. This allows the new kidney to adapt to your body without being attacked.

But when your immune system is weakened, your body's ability to fight off other infections is also reduced. At that point, the BK virus that had been dormant in your body "wakes up," meaning it becomes active again.

This inflammation gradually causes the kidneys to lose function. When this condition becomes more severe, it is called BK virus nephropathy . This means that the kidneys are severely damaged and may eventually fail completely. It is estimated that about 2% of kidney transplant recipients develop this nephropathy.

What are the symptoms of BK Viral Nephritis?

Most of the time, people with this infection do not show any symptoms. However, when symptoms do appear, you should be aware of the following things.

Additionally, your doctor may notice things like elevated creatinine levels and blood urea nitrogen levels in your blood and urine test reports.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your nephrologist immediately. These infections often occur within the first three months after a kidney transplant. Therefore, you need to take extra care of your body during this time.

What are the health risks caused by this infection?

The main risk of BK virus nephritis is damage to your new kidney. In some severe cases, the risk of complete graft loss can be as high as 30% to 80%.

In addition to damaging the kidneys, this virus can also cause other serious health problems.

• Cancer: The virus can cause cells to grow abnormally and form cancerous tumors in organs.
• Capillary leak syndrome: A serious condition caused by the leakage of blood plasma from very small blood vessels into surrounding muscles, organs, and tissues.
• Encephalitis: If the virus spreads to the brain, brain tissue can become swollen. This can cause symptoms such as personality changes and seizures.
• Pneumonia: The virus spreads to the lungs and causes difficulty breathing due to fluid filling them.
• Viral hepatitis: The spread of a virus to the liver can cause inflammation of the liver.

How to accurately diagnose this disease?

Your doctor will run several tests to confirm whether you have this disease.

How to treat and protect yourself?

There is no single, definitively approved treatment for this condition. However, your doctor will use a variety of methods to manage the condition.

• Reducing the dose of immunosuppressants: This is the main treatment. If the virus is confirmed to be active, your doctor will decide to reduce the dose of your medication.
• Antiviral medicines: Some medicines can be given to reduce the amount of virus in the body.
• Other medications: You may need to change your immunosuppressive medication or be given antibiotics for secondary infections.

How can we protect ourselves from this?

Since we all contract this virus during childhood, we cannot control its entry into the body. However, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of developing this condition after a kidney transplant. The most important thing is to have regular screening as advised by your doctor.

• Before symptoms appear, blood and urine tests at regular intervals are done to check if the virus has become active.
• Typically, it is recommended to check every 3 months for the first two years after transplantation, and then annually for five years.
• If these tests detect the virus, the doctor will adjust the dose of immunosuppressive drugs.

All you have to do is pay attention to any minor symptoms, report them to your doctor immediately, and get the tests he recommends done on time. If you do that, you will be protected from this serious infection and will be able to stay healthy with your new kidney for a long time.

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