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23421 BK Virus PCR, Qnt, Urine (QBKU)

BK Virus PCR, Qnt, Urine (QBKU)
Test Code: BKQNTSO
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 87859, BK (polyoma) virus, BK PCR Quant, BK Virus, BKV DNA, BKV Quantitative DNA, Polymavirus, QBK
Useful For
A prospective and diagnostic marker for the development of BK virus nephropathy in renal transplant recipients
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Urine​ ​Plastic, 10 mL urine tube ​ ​1 mL ​0.3 mL ​
Collection Processing Instructions
For optimal results, specimen should arrive within 48 hours of collection.
 
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. No preservative
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Urine ​Refrigerated (preferred) ​7 days
​ ​Frozen ​7 days
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories Monday through Saturday​ ​Same day/1 day
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization
(PCR is utilized pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Test Information
Polyomaviruses are small (45 nm, approximately 5,000 bp), DNA-containing viruses and include 3 closely related viruses of clinical significance; SV-40, JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV). SV-40 naturally infects rhesus monkeys but can infect humans, while BKV and JCV cause productive infection only in humans.(1-2) Acquisition of BKV begins in infancy. Serological evidence of infection by BKV is present in 37% of individuals by 5 years of age and over 80% of adolescents.
 
BKV is an important cause of interstitial nephritis and associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in recipients of kidney transplants. Up to 5% of renal allograft recipients can be affected about 40 weeks (range 6-150) post-transplantation.(3) PCR analysis of BKV DNA in the plasma is the most widely used blood test for the laboratory diagnosis of BKV-associated nephropathy. Importantly, the presence of BKV DNA in blood reflects the dynamics of the disease: the conversion of plasma from negative to positive for BKV DNA after transplantation, the presence of DNA in plasma in conjunction with the persistence of nephropathy, and its disappearance from plasma after the reduction of immunosuppressive therapy.(4-8) However, BKV DNA is typically detectable in urine prior to plasma and may serve as an indication of impending BKVAN. Viral loads of >100,000 copies/mL in urine may also indicate a risk for BKVAN.
Reference Range Information
None Detected
Interpretation
Increasing copy levels of BK virus (BKV) DNA in serial specimens may indicate possible BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in kidney transplant patients.
 
Viral loads of >100,000 copies/mL in urine may also indicate a risk for BKVAN.
 
This assay does not cross react with other polyomaviruses, including JC virus and SV-40.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​87799 ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 87859, BK (polyoma) virus, BK PCR Quant, BK Virus, BKV DNA, BKV Quantitative DNA, Polymavirus, QBK
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​BK Virus DNA, Qnt, PCR (87859)
​Cerner ​BK Virus, Qnt, PCR (87859)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Urine​ ​Plastic, 10 mL urine tube ​ ​1 mL ​0.3 mL ​
Collection Processing
For optimal results, specimen should arrive within 48 hours of collection.
 
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. No preservative
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Urine ​Refrigerated (preferred) ​7 days
​ ​Frozen ​7 days
Useful For
A prospective and diagnostic marker for the development of BK virus nephropathy in renal transplant recipients
Reference Range Information
None Detected
Interpretation
Increasing copy levels of BK virus (BKV) DNA in serial specimens may indicate possible BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in kidney transplant patients.
 
Viral loads of >100,000 copies/mL in urine may also indicate a risk for BKVAN.
 
This assay does not cross react with other polyomaviruses, including JC virus and SV-40.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories Monday through Saturday​ ​Same day/1 day
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization
(PCR is utilized pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​87799 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.