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BK Virus Quantitative NAAT – Provincial

Discipline

Microbiology

Overview

Description

  • BK polyomavirus infections are usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent patients, but can cause significant disease in immunocompromised patients. Clinical correlation with patient history is required for interpretation of results.
  • BK virus can cause polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients and hemorrhagic cystitis in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients.
Ordering recommendations
  •  Transplant and/or immunocompromised patients presenting with potential poloyomavirus-associated nephropathy or hemorrhagic cystitis.

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

  • Plasma
  • Urine

Specimen collection container

  • Plasma
    • EDTA (Lavender top) tube
  • Urine
    •  Sterile, wide mouth screw-cap container

Collection procedure

  • Plasma: Collect blood in vacutainer containing EDTA (lavender stopper). Specimen must be separated by centrifugation within 24h of collection.

Required volume

  • Plasma: 1 EDTA (Lavender Top) tube, 4 mL (1 mL minimum)
    • If Multiple Quantitative PCRs are ordered on the same specimen, a minimum of 3 mls if required to ensure repeated testing is possible if needed.
  • Urine: 2 mL optimal (0.5 mL minimum)

 

Transport and stability

  • Plasma: Plasma must be separated from whole blood within 24h of collection. Plasma should be stored at 4°C and shipped on ice packs within 48h of collection. If shipping is delayed > 48h, store at -20°C and ship on dry ice.

Performance

Methodology

  • Quantitative NAAT testing via LDT on the DiaSorin MDX

Days/times performed

Availability
  • All specimens will be tested at RUH

Maximum laboratory time

Result reporting
  • Test is performed on Thursday every week.
  • The quantitative range for this assay is 2000 IU/mL to 20 million IU/mL. Viral loads outside this range cannot be accurately quantified.
  • Viral loads measured as <2000 IU/mL or >20 million IU/mL are only reported as "Positive" because exact quantitation is not possible.

 

Specimen retention time

  • Plasma is retained for 7 days after completion of testing

Last Updated: December 6, 2024