Studies of human polyomaviruses, with HP yV7, BKP yV, and JCP yV present in urine of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplanted patients with or without hemorrhagic cystitis

Background BK polyomavirus ( BKP yV) can cause hemorrhagic cystitis ( HC ) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐ HSCT ) patients and polyomavirus‐associated nephritis in renal transplant patients, while JC polyomavirus ( JCP yV) can generate progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in immunocompromised individuals. Since 2007, additional human polyomaviruses ( HP yVs) have been identified. In this study, we examined the urines of allo‐ HSCT patients for possible presence of polyomaviruses BKP yV, JCP yV, KIP yV, WUP yV, MCP yV, HP yV6, HP yV7, TSP yV, HP yV9, and HP yV10 ( MWP yV). Methods A total of 185 urinary samples obtained 2002–2007 from 105 allo‐ HSCT patients, 32/105 with HC , were tested for the above‐listed HP yVs by a bead‐based multiplex assay. Of these, 142 urine samples had previously been tested for BKP yV and JCP yV by nested polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ). Results Aside from BKP yV and JCP yV, which dominated, HP yV7 was detected in 5 BKP yV‐positive urinary samples from 1 patient. The multiplex assay was more sensitive and specific than the nested PCR . BKP yV and/or JCP yV were found in all but 1 of the previously BKP yV‐ or JCP yV‐positive samples, although 6 previously BKP yV‐positive cases were now JCP yV‐positive or the reverse. Furthermore, 18/79 previously negative samples were found to be BKP yV and/or JCP yV positive, and a total of 21 double infections were found. Lastly, in 1/29 HC patients, only JCP yV was detected. Conclusion HP yV7 was found for the first time in urine of an allo‐ HSCT patient, and BKP yV and JCP yV were more commonly found in urine samples using the bead‐based assay compared to testing by nested PCR . Finally, only JCP yV was detected in the urine of 1 HC patient.