This study aimed to investigate whether BK virus (BKV)-specific T-cell immunity measured by an interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay can predict the outcome of BKV infection in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

We included 50 KTRs and 44 healthy controls (HCs). We measured T-cell responses to 5 BKV antigens using an ELISPOT assay, and the results were presented as spot counts/ 3×10⁵ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We compared ELISPOT results among HCs and KTRs with different viremia status, and investigated whether ELISPOT results are associated with development of BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVN) or viral clearance.

The KTRs with an experience of BK viremia, including previous and current viremia, showed higher ELISPOT counts to HCs. Among 30 patients with high viremia (>log 4 of plasma BKV), BKVN were detected in 12.5% (3/21 biopsies). The KTRs with BKVN showed higher ELISPOT counts than the patients who did not developed BKVN (p<0.05). Furthermore, higher T cell responses were associated with the clearance of BKV (p<0.05). BKV-specific IgG antibodies played no role in all above process.

In conclusion, BKV-specific T cell response measured by ELISPOT may be useful to predict the clinical outcomes of BKV infection in terms of clearance of virus and development of BKVN.

CITATION INFORMATION: Chang J., Bae H., Park K., Lee H., Choi B., Park C., Yang C., Kim Y., Oh E-.J., Chung B. Clinical Significance of BK Virus-Specific ELISPOT Assay in Kidney Transplant Recipients Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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