DETERMINING THE FREQUENCY OF BK POLYOMAVIRUS AND ITS POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS USING THE MOLECULAR PCR METHOD IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS REFERRED TO THE HEMODIALYSIS UNIT OF TALEGHANI HOSPITAL IN URMIA

Background & Aims: BK virus (BKV), which often remains latent in the body after initial infection, can reactivate in patients with immune deficiencies or suppression, leading to kidney dysfunction, nephropathy, and occasionally the loss of transplanted kidneys.There is very limited information regarding the incidence of BKV viremia as a significant risk factor for nephropathy in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.This cross-sectional study investigated the frequency of viremia and potential risk factors affecting active BKV infection in hemodialysis patients Materials & Methods: The study was conducted on 150 hemodialysis patients undergoing dialysis at Taleghani Hospital in Urmia.BKV viremia was assessed in patient plasma samples using the seminested PCR technique.Results: Among the 150 dialysis patients, 84 (55.7%) were male and 66 (44.3%) were female.The mean age was 56 9.15 years.The average duration of dialysis for the studied patients was 32.7 7.6 months.BKV viremia was detected in 54 patients (36%).No significant correlation was found between viremia frequency and variables such as age, gender, or duration of dialysis.Conclusion: This is the first study to examine BKV viremia using PCR in hemodialysis patients in Urmia and indicates a high prevalence of active infection in over one-third of the dialysis patients at this center.Given the significant role of BKV viremia in nephropathy pathogenesis, it is essential to develop guidelines for incorporating screening tests for BK virus in chronic kidney disease patients and those eligible for transplantation.