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Background and Aim: Evidence linking the BK virus (BKV), John Cunningham virus (JCV), and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) to ovarian cancer is inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association of BKV, JCV, and CMV in malignant, borderline, benign, and normal ovarian tissues to shed light on the potential role of viral infections in the process of ovarian carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: Paraffin-embedded ovarian tissues of 205 patients and 45 normal controls were included in this case-control study conducted from January 2015 to January 2020. The patient group was divided into three subgroups: malignant, borderline, and benign. Amplifying the β-globin gene was conducted to confirm the quality of the DNA extracted. Real-time PCR was used to identify BKV, JCV, and CMV genomes in all specimens. Results: The mean age of the patients and the control group was 44.0 ± 11.4 and 34.2 ± 12.1 years old, respectively. One, two, and three malignant lesions were positive for the presence of BKV, JCV, and CMV, respectively. These viruses were not detected in any borderline, benign, or control lesions. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated no association between CMV, BKV, and JCV with ovarian cancer. Therefore, major studies are recommended to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To present the early to midterm experience of two referral kidney transplantation centers with living and deceased kidney transplantations that were performed within the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: All cases performed in two referral centers in Iran within the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. Transplantations were performed from May 2020 to February 2021. The protocol for screening included nasopharyngeal RT-PCR with chest CT scan for living and deceased transplantations in center A and RTPCR for living transplantations and chest CT scan for deceased transplantations in center B. Patients were followed for 14-26 months after transplantation regarding COVID-19 infection and its outcomes in case of infection.Results: 103 kidney transplantations were performed during the study period including 54 (52.4%) living and 49 (47.6%) deceased kidney transplantations. Twenty-four recipients (23.3%) and a living donor (1%) were infected with COVID-19. The severity of COVID-19 infection was mild, moderate, severe, and critical in 16 (66.6%), 4 (16.6%), 2 (8.4%), and 2 patients (8.4%), respectively. Two mortalities were observed within transplantation recipients with COVID-19 infection (1.9%). 87.5% (7/8) COVID-19 infections in center B were observed in recipients of deceased transplantations who were screened only by chest CT scan.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a low frequency of COVID-19 mortality (1.9% for the whole cohort and 8.3% within COVID-19 infected patients) for recipients of living and deceased kidney transplantation that were performed within the COVID-19 pandemic. The above findings highlight for the first time in a large study the probability of living kidney transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic in case strict screening of donors and recipients and close supervision of operating rooms and wards are implemented. We further hypothesize the inadequacy of chest CT scan for screening of COVID-19 in kidney transplantation surgery candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the presence of EBV, HCMV, and BKV genomic sequences in the plasma samples (active infection/viremia) of kidney transplant recipients suspected of rejection and to investigate host and risk factors related to the activation of these viruses in these patients., Methods: In this cross-sectional single-center study, plasma samples were collected from 98 suspected kidney transplant rejection patients at Labafinejad Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between December 2022 and June 2023. Quantitative real-time PCR assays for HCMV, EBV, and BK were performed using GeneProof Real-time PCR kits. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the viral load cutoff point for each virus., Findings: HCMV active viremia was detected in 18 (18.36%) recipients, EBV active viremia in 7 (7.14%), and BKV active viremia in 5 (5.10%). ROC results indicated viral load cutoff points of 778, 661, and 457 points for HCMV, EBV, and BKV, respectively. The duration of time after transplantation significantly differed between active viremia and no viremia groups (120.5 vs. 46 months, P = 0.014). In the BKV active viremia group, the increase in creatinine compared to baseline creatinine was significantly higher than in the no viremia group (2.7 vs. 0.8, P = 0.017). The odds ratio of HCMV active viremia in patients taking tacrolimus was 2.84 times higher, and the odds of HCMV active viremia in patients taking antithymocyte globulin was 3.01 times higher than in patients not taking these drugs., Conclusion: Rapid and timely diagnosis of viral active infections in kidney transplant patients is crucial for effective disease management and implementation of appropriate treatment strategies. Identifying potential risk factors, including host and treatment-related factors that influence transplantation, can facilitate the development of suitable preventive strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, various treatments have been frequently reported for patients infected with this virus, especially in transplant patients/recipients. Objective: Investigating of kidney transplant patients under immunosuppressive therapy infected with COVID-19 can pave the way to understanding, handling, and treatment of COVID-19. Methods: We had a brief review of the literature on immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplants infected with COVID-19. This was based on the PubMed Database with keywords "kidney, transplant, COVID-19, and immunosuppress" after hospitalization of kidney transplantation infected with COVID-19. He had already been recorded in the Organ Transplant Registry (ID≠ 64510) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences /Iran. Results: We reported the clinical course of a 45-year-old man with a history of kidney transplantation and immunotherapy who was infected with COVID-19 with respiratory infections and positive RT-PCR (Real-time polymerase chain reaction). He was treated with hydroxychloroquine, Kaletra, CellCept, and prednisolone for 5 days, and finally discharged from the hospital. In addition, reviewing of 47 papers with 851 samples showed that immunosuppressant medications alone could be a therapeutic choice in kidney transplants infected with COVID-19 with careful management. Conclusion: Patients with organ transplantation infected with COVID-19 may show different clinical signs, clinical course, and prognosis due to underlying diseases and the use of immunosuppressant medications. It might be best to continue taking the immunosuppressant medications but modify them based on the patients' conditions such as clinical symptoms, laboratory results, paraclinical examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Members of the Polyomaviridae family, BK virus (BKV), and John Cunningham virus (JCV) are linked to polyomavirus-associated nephropathy-associated transplant rejection in immunodeficient patients. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of BKV and JCV in immunocompetent individuals in the north of Iran. Methods: Ninety-one urine samples were obtained from renal transplant recipients with a mean age of 39.78 ± 11.19 years. A healthy control group of 65 volunteers with an average age of 40.32 ± 10.7 years also contributed. After DNA extraction, positive cases were detected through PCR. Genotyping was done by alignment and phylogenetic tree construction of the VP1 region against all known JCV and BKV genotypes. Results: The prevalence of BKV and JCV was 15.38 and 19.78%, respectively. JCV was detected in 7.69% of the control group. The prevalence of the BKV between the case and control groups was significant (p < 0.0001). There was no significant association between BKV and JCV and duration of dialysis (p > 0.05). Overall, 62.16% of JCV cases were genotype I. Besides, genotype II was dominant within patients with BKV-positive patients. Discussion: The results obtained here show a relatively lower prevalence of BKV and JCV in immunocompromised renal transplant receivers and healthy control than those reported from other areas in Iran. JCV genotyping was evaluated for the first time in Iran. Genotype I for JCV and genotype II for BKV were dominant genotypes in the north of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN), mainly caused by the BK virus, is one of the most important infectious complications of kidney transplantation. The leading histopathologic characteristics of PVAN is viral cytopathic effects, such as nucleomegaly with smudged or clumped chromatin and intranuclear ground-glass inclusion, mostly in tubular epithelial cells. Moreover, tubular necrosis, tubulitis, interstitial inflammation, atrophy, and fibrosis have been noted. Positive immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for SV-40 highlights the infected epithelial cells of renal tubules. Methods: A total of 85 core needle biopsies of transplanted kidneys were evaluated histologically and were stained for SV-40 using the IHC method. In addition, a followup of graft failure was performed. Results: Our findings revealed that the frequency of polyomavirus infection in kidney transplant patients in the Northeast of Iran is 4.7%. There was no significant correlation between PVAN and graft rejection. Although a higher rate of graft loss was observed in PVAN patients, in comparison with non-PVAN patients (25% vs. 14.8%), the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, patients with immunohistochemically confirmed PVAN and those with histopathologic features of viral-like cytopathic effects had significantly lower graft survival in the follow-up period (42.5 vs. 196.8 months and 109.4 vs. 205.7 months, respectively). Conclusion: The frequency of polyomavirus infection in kidney transplant patients in the Northeast of Iran is 4.7%. There was no significant correlation between PVAN and graft rejection. Furthermore, we observed that polyomavirus infection accelerates the course of graft loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: BK virus (BKV) infection in renal transplant (RT) recipients can cause hemorrhagic cystitis, transient renal dysfunction, and BKV nephropathy (BKVN). The prevalence and significance of BKV in RT recipients remain to be clarified in the Iranian population. The purpose of this review is to summarize the overall prevalence of BKV infection in RT recipients from previously published studies in Iran. Methods: We systematically reviewed articles through a comprehensive search of the main electronic and Persian national databases up to November 2019. Results: The overall pooled prevalence of BKV infection among the Iranian population was 23% (95% CI; 15–33%). Comparing these studies revealed that the prevalence of BKV in plasma samples ranges from 3 to 40%, in renal biopsies 1–13%, and in urine samples 10–49%. Due to substantial heterogeneity among reported studies (I2 = 93%, p < 0.01), random-effect meta-analysis was performed. BKV infection rate was slightly higher in women than men (16%, p = 0.04 vs. 14%, p < 0.01, respectively). The majority of the studies employed real-time PCR (24%, I2 = 93, p < 0.01) and analyzed plasma samples alone or in combination with other types of specimens. BKV prevalence from 5 cities among the Iranian population showed a higher prevalence rate in Guilan. Conclusion: Our analysis provides a preliminary estimate of the epidemiology of BKV infection in RT recipients in Iran. These results arouse a need for more epidemiological studies of BKV infection in different unanalyzed regions in Iran. Early detection of BKV in RT recipients helps timely nephropathy diagnosis and prevents graft loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: BK polyomavirus is a member of the Polyomaviridae. This virus has spread worldwide and up to 82% of the world populations are serologically positive. BK polyomavirus usually transmits through inhalation or fecal-oral way in childhood, as well as is likely to cause an asymptomatic disease. The virus can be reactivated in people who are immunocompromised. Objectives: In this study we aimed to determine the complete genome sequence of BK polyomavirus in 5 patients receiving kidney transplantation in Golestan hospital, Ahvaz, south west of Iran. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on urine and blood samples from kidney transplant ward, Golestan hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. To amplify the whole genome of BK polyomavirus AccuPower ProFi Taq PCR PreMix kit (Bioneer, South Korea) was used. Then, purified fragments were cloned into the vector. Sequences derived from the sequencing process were assembled by MEGA7 software. Data were analyzed using MEGA7 software and a phylogenetic tree was built based on the maximum likelihood ratio method. Results: Overall, 40 urine samples (40%) and two plasma samples (12%) were positive for BK virus DNA. For the selected samples, W.G. Long PCR was performed and 5.1 kbp fragment was observed in all five samples. These fragments were cloned and sequenced. Genomic sequence analysis of the 5 strains studied showed 97.6% homology and all our study samples were of the same clade, which could be a reason for our patients to be infected with the same strain. Comparing the 5 isolates in our study with reference strains, showed more than 98% of homology, and variation was observed in less than 2% of nucleotides. Conclusion: These five isolates showed more than 98% homology compared to the reference sequences, which can be attributed to the fact that these patients are infected with a common strain or that the genomic stability in the strain exists in our geographic area. We can conclude that in our geographic region there is a genomic stability and this strain can also be used as a positive control sample in other parts of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) is one of the complications of renal transplantation that causes graft loss in renal transplant recipients. Objective: To determine the incidence of BKVN after renal transplantation in Hasheminejad Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, we evaluated 31 consecutive kidney transplant recipients (21 men and 10 women) for BK and JC viral infections and BKVN during one year after transplantation, Urine of patients was tested for the presence of decoy cells and DNA of BK and JC virus by PCR. The serum load of BK and JC virus was assessed in patients 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplantation. Renal biopsy was performed in presence of allograft dysfunction or viral load >107 copies/mL. Results: The prevalences of decoy cells and BK and JC viral DNA in urine of patients were 16%, 29%, and 23%, respectively. BK or JC virus was found in 45% of the urine samples. During one year follow-up, no cases of BKVN was observed. Conclusion: Despite a high rate of BK viral infection, no one with BKVN was observed in our kidney trans-plant recipients. Therefore, screening of all transplant recipients for BKVN is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Determining the risk factors in developing or increasing the relapses of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may help health and preventive systems to launch new programs. Up to 90% of normal population changes to seropositive for BK virus by the age of 10 years. Whether this oncogenic virus is responsible for evolving ALL is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the excretion of urinary BK virus in newly diagnosed children with ALL compared with normal population. Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 62 participants (32 ALL patients and 32 normal subjects), aged 1-18 years, in Saint Al-Zahra and Sayyed-Al-Shohada University Hospitals, Isfahan, Iran. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect the BK virus in specimens. PCR amplification was performed using specific primers of PEP-1 (5'-AGTCTTTAGGGTCTTCTACC-3') and PEP-2 (5'-GGTGCCAACCTATGGAACAG-3'). Results: Thirty-five out of 62 participants (54.8%) were males and the remaining were females. The mean duration of disease was 9.6 ± 9.69 months. Central nervous system (CNS) relapse was seen in 29% of the patients. Positive PCR for urine BK virus was seen in three children with ALL (9.7%). No positive result for urine BKV was achieved in the control group. However, Fisher's exact test did not show any significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant correlation between BKV positivity and frequency of relapses. Conclusion: To demonstrate the role of BK virus in inducing ALL or increasing the number of relapses, prospective studies on larger scale of population and evaluating both serum and urine for BK virus are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JC virus (JCV) , and BK virus (BKV) can remain latency in kidney and excrete via urine asymptomatically. JCV has been associated with colorectal and bladder cancers. BKV has been linked with lung, pancreas, liver, urogenital tract, head and neck cancers. Therefore, the frequency of JCV DNA and BKV DNA are essential to evaluate in urine samples of healthy individuals., Materials and Methods: Hundred sixty four urine samples were collected from healthy subjects [96 females and 68 males]. DNA was extracted and detection of JCV DNA and BKV DNA was carried out by PCR . The analysis of sequencing and construction of phylogenetic tree were performed for the samples positive for JCV DNA and BKV DNA., Results: Ten (6.09%) urine samples [5/96(5.2%) females and 5/68( 8.82) males] were tested positive for JCV DNA (P= 0.814). The results of sequencing and phylogenetic tree showed the isolated JCV DNA were cluster with 3A genotype. 21/164 (12.8%) samples were tested positive for BKV DNA [11/96(11.45%) females and males 10/68(14.7%)] ( P= 0.63). The results of sequencing and phylogenetic tree showed that the isolated BKV was cluster with genotype III., Conclusion: In the present study 6.09% and 12.8% of the healthy individuals showed positive for JCV DNA (genotype 3A) and BKV DNA(genotype III) respectively. With regard to life threating diseases by BKV and JCV in immunocomprsied patients , the screening BKV DNA and JCV DNA should be implemented for patients with cancer /autoimmune diseases /organ recipient/ multiple sclerosis (MS), prior to immunosuppression therapy or immunomodulatory agents treatment., .

Introduction: Polyomaviruses including BK virus (BKV) and JC virus (JCV) are widespread in human and have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in some studies. The aim of present systematic review and meta-analysis article is to calculate the pooled prevalence of BKV and JCV in patients with CRC and assessing their association with this malignancy., Materials and Methods: Domestic databases and Sciences Direct, PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Sciences and Scopus were searched for relevant articles up to 2nd  June 2019Two independent reviewers extracted the related data from eligible articles. The pooled prevalence and pooled odds ratio (POR) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using "metaprop" and "metan" commands in Stata 14. Where I2 statistics were >50%, the random effect model was used., Results: From 1461 relevant studies, 24 articles were eligible and included in the qualitative while 19 articles included in quantitative analysis. The pooled prevalence based on diagnostic methods varies from 29% using immunohistochemistry to 52% using nested-PCR method. The likelihood of being infected with JCV  was significantly higher in CRC patients compared to healthy (POR: 4.41, 95% CI: 2.13 - 9.13) controls, normal adjacent mucosa (POR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.3-5.9) and colorectal adenoma (POR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.5-6.5) but was not significant when non-CRC patients used as control group., Conclusion: The prevalence of JCV in colorectal patients was substantially variable by different methods and targets. The significant association between JCV and CRC that was observed in the present study is not indicative of causation and should be studied more in large-scale prospective designs.

Background: BK virus (BKV) is a common human polyomavirus which infects up to 90% of the general population with little clinical significance and with various epidemiological patterns of infection. Immune suppression is considered the main risk factor for BKV reactivation. Owing to their impaired cellular and humoral immunity, patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) are at high risk of infectious diseases such as BKV infection. BKV presents with different distributions in different populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BKV in Iranian patients with chronic renal disease undergoing HD and PD., Methods: Sixty-three HD patients and 33 PD cases from the main dialysis units in Tehran, Iran, were enrolled in the study. BK viremia was determined by qualitative polymerase chain reaction in all subjects., Results: Sixty-three cases under HD (mean age 59.3 ± 14.5 years) and 33 subjects on PD (mean age 53.7 ± 13 years) were enrolled in the study. The mean duration of HD was 59.1 ± 53.8 months and the dialysis interval was three times a week. In the PD group, the mean duration of dialysis was 38.9 ± 35.2 months. The prevalence of BK viremia was 3.03% in PD and 0% in HD subjects., Conclusions: This study showed a low rate of BK viremia in chronic renal disease patients undergoing HD or PD. Differently from other studies in various populations, our results demonstrated low or absent BKV replication in Iranian dialysis patients, highlighting the varying epidemiological pattern of BKV distribution.