Symptomatic BK virus cystitis in non-renal transplant recipients.

Background: BK virus is implicated most commonly in causing BK virus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients. However, on rare occasions, it can also produce symptomatic cystitis in other solid organ transplant recipients.

Methods: Retrospective review of 2,149 non-renal solid organ transplant recipients over a 6-year period to evaluate patients for cases of symptomatic BK virus cystitis.

Results: Three patients (two heart transplant recipients and one lung transplant recipient) are reported herein with symptomatic BK virus cystitis. These patients responded to reduced immunosuppressive medication with a reduction in viral load in two instances, and the third patient appeared to have an apparent response to prolonged levofloxacin treatment.

Conclusions: A high index of suspicion should be exercised in non-renal solid organ transplant recipients (particularly heart and lung transplant recipients) who have symptoms consistent with cystitis but have a negative urine bacterial culture.