Open AccessTransitional cell carcinoma of renal allograft associated with BK virus infection
Author(s) -
Saquib Rehana,
Barri Yousri M.,
Saad Rana,
Savino Daniel A.,
Rice Kim M.,
Hays Steven R.,
Melton Larry B.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
dialysis & transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1932-6920
pISSN - 0090-2934
DOI - 10.1002/dat.20364
Subject(s) - medicine , bk virus , pathology , malignancy , renal cell carcinoma , transitional cell carcinoma , biopsy , nephropathy , transplantation , cancer , kidney transplantation , bladder cancer , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
BK virus (BKV) has oncogenic properties and has been associated with different malignancies. However, reports of malignancy in renal transplant recipients are scarce and circumstantial. We report on a renal transplant recipient with a diagnosis of BKV nephropathy for several years, who subsequently developed a renal allograft mass. Renal allograft mass biopsy revealed a high‐grade transitional cell carcinoma. The patient underwent a renal allograft nephrectomy and returned to hemodialysis. Neoplastic tissue was positive for BKV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and large T‐antigen (TAg) by immunohistochemical staining. In contrast, BKV DNA by PCR was negative in non‐neoplastic tissue. The presence of BKV DNA and TAg exclusively in the neoplastic tissue, suggest that malignancy was induced by BKV. Of note, JC virus DNA by PCR was negative in the neoplastic tissue. BKV is associated with transitional cell carcinoma of the allograft renal pelvis and that warrants monitoring these patients for this possibility.