OVERVIEW
Polyomaviruses are DNA-containing, small viruses and include 3 closely related viruses of clinical
significance:
- Simian virus 40 (SV-40): naturally infects rhesus monkeys but can infect humans
- JC virus (JCV)
- BK virus (BKV)
BKV and JCV cause productive infection only in humans, BKV begins in infancy.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULT:
The reference range of BKV in plasma is " None Detected." This test is not to be used to screen healthy
patients. It is to be used for patients with a clinical history or risk factors for BKV-associated
nephropathy.
Reportable range is from 1,600 to 16,000,000 IU/mL.