Aim: This study was aimed to investigate the BK virus (BKV) and JC virus (JCV) DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time PCR) in immunosuppressive patients with high risk.

Materials and Methods: A total of 296 samples obtained from 129 patients hospitalized in Gazi University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between March 2014-May 2015 were included in the study. Viral DNA was extracted by the “MagNA-Pure Compact NucleicAcid Isolation Kit” (Roche, Germany). By using amplification mix LightMix® BK/JC Polyomavirus Detection Kit (TIB-Molbiol, Germany) that included primers targeting JCV and BKV, nucleic acids were amplified with LightCycler® 2.0 (Roche, Germany).

Result: BKV-JCV positivity rate was found as 35.4% (105/296). In urine samples the rate of positivity was 56.5% (26/46) for BKV and 10.8% (5/46) for JCV. In blood samples the rate of positivity were 29.2% (73/250) for BKV, 3.2% (8/250) for JCV. The distribution of the units with BKV-JCV positive patients, respectively, were as follows: 59.6%-13.4% from the bone marrow transplantation unit, 32.4%-1.2% from paediatric nephrology, 16.8%-2.9% from nephrology. BKV positivity rate was 78.5% (11/14) in adult haematology and 57.1% (8/14) in paediatric haematology. One patient from paediatric haematology revealed both BKV and JCV positivity. There were no JCV positivity in patients followed at the adult haematology unit. In 25.2% (25/99) of the samples, BKVDNA was detected ≥104 copies/ml and 80% (20/25) of those samples were urine.

Conclusion: Monitorization of BKV by Real-Time PCR in kidney transplant patients is of crucial importance since high quantities of BKV is associated with graft dysfunction and organ rejection following transplantation. Follow-up of BKV nephropathy through BKV quantitation by real-time PCR, may help to decrease the detrimental effects on transplant outcome.