3 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
To prospectively test whether the detection of three-dimensional, cast-like polyomavirus aggregates, termed Haufen, in voided urine samples can serve as an accurate biomarker of intra-renal disease, i.e. polyoma-BK-virus nephropathy (PVN). We want to correlate the detection of 'Haufen' with histologic findings made in renal biopsies as well as signs of polyomavirus activation, i.e. viremia and viruria. The prospective study is designed to further validate our retrospective findings (manuscript in press, J Am Soc Nephrology) and more specifically to correlate 'Haufen' shedding with the histologically confirmed course of PVN.
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of a new oral immunosuppressant agent compared to standard care in renal transplant patients diagnosed with BK nephropathy.
BK infection is an important cause of graft dysfunction and graft loss after renal transplantation. It has been widely accepted that emergence of BK virus correlates with the more potent immunosuppressive agents used to lower acute rejection rates. In contrast to other opportunistic infections after transplantation, for which routine prophylactic agents are administered, there is no effective agent for the prevention of BK infection. Some data, however, suggests that quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin may have activity against BK virus. This has led us to investigate whether routine, short-term ciprofloxacin administration post-transplant can lower the incidence of BK infection.