AIIMS experts develop low-cost test to detect BK virus

Tribune News Service

Aksheev Thakur

New Delhi February 5

Researchers from AIIMS, Delhi, have developed a cost-effective BK virus detection system using nanotechnology for renal transplant patients. The system allows for the detection of viral infection within two hours of sample collection, at a cost of less than Rs 200, compared to the current Rs 7,000 charged by private labs using the PCR technique.

The study, titled “Visual, rapid and cost-effective BK virus detection system for renal transplanted patients using gold nanoparticle coupled loop-mediated isothermal amplification (nanoLAMP)”, published in journal ScienceDirect, stated, “A substantial percentage of kidney transplant recipients show transplant failure due to BK virus-induced nephropathy. This can be clinically controlled by the rapid and timely detection of BK virus infection in immunocompromised patients. We report a rapid (two hours from sample collection, processing, and detection), cost-effective (< 2$), highly sensitive and BKV-specific nanoLAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) diagnostic methodology.”

LAMP is a viral diagnostic test that the researchers claim can screen BKV from the donor and recipient shortly before the kidney transplant for better management and to reduce graft rejection. “BK virus activation may cause nephropathy in immunosuppressive conditions. The reduction in immunosuppressive dose to treat BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) indirectly leads to graft failure in nearly 5-10 per cent or more of total kidney transplant patients,” the study said.

Most people contract the BK virus in childhood, and symptoms can feel like a common cold. Once you get a BK virus infection, the virus stays in the body and might get activated during a kidney transplant, affecting the newly transplanted kidney as well. The researchers state that the present technique of viral detection using urine, cytology, nucleic acid amplification is labour-intensive, time-consuming and costly.

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