A researcher is doing a study on a virus specifically associated with renal transplants. It
demonstrates an organ tropism largely limited to the reno-urinary tract and is known to cause a
tubulointerstitial inflammatory response, ureteral stenosis, and hemorrhagic cystitis. Which of the
following best describes the virus the researcher is studying?
- A) DNA; enveloped; linear
- B) DNA; enveloped; circular
- C) DNA; non-enveloped; linear
- D) DNA; non-enveloped; circular
- E) RNA; enveloped; linear
- F) RNA; enveloped; circular
- G) RNA; non-enveloped; linear
- H) RNA; non-enveloped; circular
0 voters
EXP:
The researcher is studying BK polyomavirus, which is known to cause severe nephropathy,
ureteral stenosis, and hemorrhagic cystitis in renal transplant recipients.1, 2 This is the result of a
tubulointerstitial inflammatory response similar to acute rejection.3
It is estimated that approximately 75% of adults are seropositive for BK polyomavirus but are
asymptomatic4
; immunocompromised hosts may experience infections, albeit they are rare overall
outside of renal transplant recipients.3
It must be pointed out that cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains the most common opportunistic
pathogen overall in organ transplant recipients5, 6, 7 (exceedingly HY on the
USMLE), however CMV can affect almost any organ system, whereas BK polyomavirus
demonstrates an organ tropism largely limited to the reno-urinary tract.8
Bottom line: BK polyomavirus can cause severe nephropathy, ureteral stenosis, and
hemorrhagic cystitis after renal transplant. CMV remains the most common opportunistic pathogen
overall following solid organ transplants, however it can cause infection in nearly any organ
system; BK polyomavirus demonstrates an organ tropism largely limited to the reno-urinary tract