JC and BK virus DNA detection in archival slides of urine cytospin from renal transplant patients.

BackgroundAlthough identifying cytological viral inclusions (decoy cells) in the urine is relatively easy, distinguishing between Polyomaviruses BKV and JCV is not possible. Few studies have been published regarding JCV detection in kidney transplant recipients. ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of BKV and JCV DNA in archival slides of urine cytospin material from renal transplant patients. MethodsA total of 44 urine specimens were evaluated cytologically for the presence of viral inclusions (decoy cells) and by nested polymerase chain reaction to differentiate between JCV and BKV in DNA isolated from archival slides of urine cytospin material. ResultsOf the 44 urine specimen donors, 9 (20.5%) patients had at least 1 sample with alterations suggestive of or compatible with viral infection (decoy cells), and 3 had urine samples with cellular atypias/neoplasias. Additionally, 24/44 (54.5%) patients had PCR-positive DNA for Polyomavirus in at least 1 sample, including 11/44 who were positive for BKV (25%) and 16/44 who were positive for JCV (36.36%), with 3 (6.8%) patients showing viral coinfection. Regarding transplantation time, only JCV was statistically significant (P=.019) for periods longer than 10years. ConclusionsThe results highlight the potential use of archival slides of urine cytospin material to differentiate BKV and JCV and demonstrate the importance of improved JCV detection for later kidney transplant recipients.