BK viral nephropathy: an overview

BK virus infection is being increasingly recognized in organ transplant recipients. This article traces the development of our knowledge about this emerging pathogen over the past decade. The pathobiology of the virus is considered with particular reference to epidemiology, virus-host receptor interaction, cellular trafficking, and replication of the viral genome in the nucleus. Mechanisms of viral damage to the allograft kidney are considered. There is also a discussion of clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment modalities.