Successful prevention of BK-polyomavirus nephropathy using extracorporeal photopheresis for immunosuppression minimisation following severe BK polyomavirus replication after kidney transplantation in a double lung transplant recipient, a case report.

Abstract

Background: BK-polyomavirus (BKpyV) nephropathy (BKVN) is associated with end-stage kidney disease in kidney and non-kidney solid organ transplantation, with no curative treatment.

Case presentation: A 45-year-old woman with a past medical history of double lung transplantation subsequently developed end-stage kidney disease, of undetermined origin. One month after receiving a kidney transplant, a diagnosis of early BKVN was suspected, and in retrospect was a reasonable cause for the loss of her native kidneys. Minimisation of immunosuppression, achieved through extracorporeal photopheresis, allowed clearance of BKpyV and so prevented nephropathy. Both lung and kidney grafts had a satisfactory and stable function after one year of follow-up, with no rejection.

Conclusions: Extracorporeal photopheresis may have facilitated minimisation of immunosuppression and BKpyV clearance without lung allograft rejection.