Osmosis video - BK virus (Hemorrhagic cystitis)

The BK virus is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects the kidney epithelial cells, causing life-threatening hemorrhagic cystitis in immunocompromised people, especially in bone marrow transplant recipients. It can also cause nephropathy and ureteral stenosis in kidney transplant recipients. Symptoms include suprapubic pain, hematuria, symptoms of chronic kidney disease such as edema; fatigue, and breathlessness due to anemia.