Prevalence of antibodies against human BK polyomavirus in a general population and in dialysed patients from the province of Cordoba

: This study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of HAI antibodies to BK polyomavirus in general population and patients under dialysis. In the general population 72% of the sera tested were positive, varying from 64% in the 0-5 years age group to 100% in the group above 40 years old. The HAI titers in the 0-5 years age group showed a characteristic "U" shaped pattern distribution. The prevalence in the dialysed patients was similar to the general population. The prevalence rates observed in both groups were not statistically significant. According to these results it can be concluded that BK polyomavirus infection is acquired during very early childhood.