Association of JC virus with tubulointerstitial nephritis in a renal allograft recipient

Abstract

A renal allograft transplant patient with tubulointerstitial nephritis was examined for possible involvement of human polyomaviruses. Biopsy of the allograft kidney revealed inflammatory interstitial infiltration with tubulitis and typical inclusion bodies in the nucleus of the tubulo-epithelium. Glomeruli showed duplication and lamination of Bowman's capsule with enlargement of the parietal and visceral epithelia. Immunohistochemical analysis on the graft section using a JC virus (JCV) VP1 peptide-specific antibody showed positive staining. Paracrystalline arrays of naked viral particles with diameters of 40 nm were visualized in the nuclear inclusions under an electron microscope. Molecular examination using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing revealed that the JCV was involved in the nephritis. The results indicated that JCV may be associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis.