Polyomavirus Infections
Overview
Polyomavirus Infections: A viral infection that is often acquired during childhood but generally presents no symptoms. However, that virus may be reactivated when a patient receives immunosuppressive therapy following an organ transplant. Most adults have antibodies to the virus in their bodies. The polyomavirus family has two main subgroups: BK virus and JC virus
Symptoms
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Polyomavirus Infections includes the 10 symptoms listed below: Asymptomatic Kidney problems following transplant Mild respiratory infection Fever Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy Increased risk of tumors Hemorrhagic cystitis following bone marrow transplant Narrowed ureters following kidney transplant Interstitial nephritis following kidney transplant Increased risk of bladder cancer Note that Polyomavirus Infections symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Polyomavirus Infections signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor.
Diagnosis
Home medical testing related to Polyomavirus Infections: Cold & Flu: Home Testing: Home Fever Tests Home Ear Infection Tests Home Flu Tests
Treatment
No specific therapy is currently available for polyoma virus infections. Human immune globulins are administered by some clinicians, but their efficacy has not been established. Reduction in immunosuppression is helpful, and results in a decrease in the viral load in follow-up biopsies. Unfortunately, this strategy generally results in graft loss due to rejection. If ureteric stenosis is present, surgical intervention can potentially benefit cases with significant obstruction. However, the clinical response may be limited in cases with concurrent chronic allograft nephropathy.