JC polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in a kidney allograft: A case report and literature review

Abstract

JC virus-associated nephropathy (JCV PyVAN) is a late infectious complication after kidney transplantation and represents a rare cause of allograft dysfunction. Herein, we report a case of JCV PyVAN in a 34-year-old woman presenting with elevated serum creatinine 13 years after kidney transplantation. Diagnosis was rendered with a positive JC viremia and viruria, in combination with histological findings consistent with PyVAN and immunohistochemical staining for large T antigen SV-40. A total of 17 cases of JCV PyVAN were retrieved from the reported literature, and patient characteristics, treatments and prognosis were summarized. This study highlights that although the prognosis for JCV PyVAN is generally favorable with reduction of immunosuppression, future research should further investigate the optimal therapeutic management of this rare condition.