BK Viral Load

Description: 
Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for quantification of BK virus DNA in EDTA whole blood or urine. Urine testing is not necessary for diagnosis or monitoring of BK virus in renal transplant patients - please send EDTA whole blood alone. This assay is available Wednesday and Friday.
Clinical details: 
Post-transplant surveillance of renal and haemopoietic stem cell recipients. Consult GSTT Clinical Guidelines for appropriate patient group.
Related condition or disease: 
Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, haemorrhagic cystitis, pneumonitis, encephalitis
Reference range: 

N/A

Synonyms or keywords: 
BK nephropathy, post transplant nephropathy, haemorrhagic cystitis
Units: 
IU/mL
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Purple topped EDTA blood tube for whole blood. Urine to be collected in a sterile universal container with no additives, with minimum volume of 250ul (ideally >500ul).
Turnaround time: 
7 working days.
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be sent to CSR promptly as the sensitivity of assays that detect RNA/DNA depend on sample quality/integrity. Please store samples in a refrigerator if there is a delay in sending samples to CSR.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Virology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 06/10/2023