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Distribution of BK polyomavirus genotypes in Tunisian renal transplant recipients
Author(s) -
Boukoum Hanen,
Nahdi Imen,
Foulongne Vincent,
Zallema Dorsaf,
Aloui Sabra,
Achour Abdelatif,
Segondy Michel,
Aouni Mahjoub
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.22035
Subject(s) - bk virus , virology , genotype , polyomavirus infections , biology , population , renal transplant , nested polymerase chain reaction , virus , nephropathy , polymerase chain reaction , kidney , medicine , genetics , kidney transplantation , gene , environmental health , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
BK polyomavirus (BKV) is a ubiquitous virus in humans that remains latent in the urogenital tract after a primary infection during childhood. The virus, which is reactivated frequently and excreted in urine, can cause nephropathy in renal transplant recipients. BKV sequences are classified into four subtypes (I–IV). Subtype I and IV are divided further into four and six subgroups, respectively. To characterize the subtypes of BKV prevalent in Tunisia, the presence of the virus was investigated by real‐time PCR in urine samples from 77 renal transplant recipients. For subtype identification, a DNA fragment in the VP1 coding region, amplified by nested PCR from positive samples, was sequenced and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. In the studied population, subtype I (75.5%), II (14.5%), and IV (2.5%) were identified with a clear predominance of subtype Ib‐2 (73%) as observed in European population. This study suggests that in North Africa, the BKV genotype distribution is similar to that of Europe and different from that of sub‐Saharan Africa. J. Med. Virol. 83:725–730, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.