NOVEL LIGHT-UPON-EXTENSION (LUX) REAL-TIME PCR PRIMER SYSTEM FOR RAPID DETECTION OF POLYOMAVIRUS HOMINIS 1 (BKV) IN CLINICAL SAMPLES

ABSTRACTPolyomavirus hominis 1 (BKV) has important clinical significance in the kidney transplant centers. It is the cause for the development of polyomavirus associated nephropathy (PVAN), which may be connected with graft dysfunction and loss. Yet there is no standard means of BKV diagnosis, but PVAN confirmation is made by examining graft biopsy. Nevertheless, it is risky and laborious procedure, moreover the results are difficult for interpretation. Thus a non-invasive and at the same time specific diagnostic method for demonstrating viral replication in the patient should be regarded. A novel molecular technique is the light-upon extension (LUX) real-time PCR using fluorogenic primers. A primer pair for BKV detection was developed and optimized for BKV real-time PCR. We confirm its high specificity but also the rapidity and non-invasiveness of the method for demonstration of ongoing viral replication.