Urine Cytology: Useful Screening Method for Polyoma Virus Nephropathy in Renal Transplant Patients

Polyoma virus nephropathy occurs in 3% to 4% of renaltransplant recipients, causing graft loss in 50% of cases.the objecti ve of the present study was to explore the effectsof age, sex, post-transplantation period and plasmacreatinine levels on the polyoma virus infection in kidneytransplanted patients. urine samples were collected from362 patients, centrifuged and microscopic slides preparedusing papaniclaou staining method. the slides then examinedand decoy cells were identified in 96 (27%) patients.the prevalence of the infection increased with increasedpost-transplantation period and the age of the patients.moreover, patients with positive decoy cells had more abnormalplasma creatinine levels than those with negativefor such celis. in conclusion identification of decoy cellsmight be of value for the diagnosis of nephropathy, especiallyif the presence of such cells is accompanied with theelevated plasma levels of creatinine.