Molecular Biology of BK Virus and Clinical and Basic Aspects of BK Virus Renal Infection

This chapter deals with the general molecular biology of BK virus (BKV) with an emphasis on the naturally occurring diversity of the noncoding control region and the role of this region in the regulation of viral gene expression and DNA replication. In addition, clinical and basic aspects of renal infection by BKV are reviewed, and a possible involvement of BKV in nephropathy and systemic lupus erythematosus is discussed in detail. Finally, guidelines for the clinical management of BKV in transplant recipients are proposed.