Human polyoma virus type BK infection and T antibody response in renal transplant recipients.

BKV infections were detected in 103 of 168 renal transplant recipients. 18 patients showed primary infection within 3 months after transplantation as evidenced by seroconversion and virus isolation. Secondary BKV infection occurred in 44 patients generally more than 3 months after transplantation and was recorded in terms of significant BKV antibody titer increases. Patients with BKV infection had detectable BKV IgM over an observation period of 3 to 8 years, indicating persistence of BKV infection. T antibody was detected in 30 of 103 BKV infected patients. These antibodies were found more frequently in patients with primary than in those with secondary infection and persisted for many years. No T antibody was detected in patients without BKV infection. The presence of T antibodies was significantly associated with the HLA determinants A 30 and DRw 6.