Review article: BK virus in systemic lupus erythematosus

Table 3 Treatment Options for BK virus infection from the renal transplant literature

Drug [Reference]	Mechanism of action	Dose	Adverse effect
Cidofovir [76]	Synthetic purine nucleotide analogue of cytosine viral DNA polymerase inhibitor	0.25 to 1.0 mg/kg at 1–3 weekly intervals without probenecid	Nephrotoxicity
Leflunomide [77, 78]	De novo pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor	Loading dose of 100 mg for 5 days, then maintenance dose of 20–60 mg/day	Hepatic dysfunction Anemia
Leflunomide [77, 78]	De novo pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor	Target blood level of 50 to 100 ug/mL	Hepatic dysfunction Anemia
Fluoroquinolones [79, 80]	DNA gyrase inhibitor (interferes with T antigen helicase activity in BKV)	Levofloxacin 500 mg/day x 1 month	Tendinitis
Fluoroquinolones [79, 80]		Ciprofloxacin 250 mg BID daily x 1 month	Tendinitis
IVIG [81, 82]	Direct neutralizing activity and other immune-modulatory effects	Variable doses of 0.2 to 2.0 g/kg:	Osmotic nephropathy
		1) 600 mg/kg every 4–6 weeks	Headache
		2) 2 g/kg over 5–6 days	Aseptic meningitis
			Thrombotic complication
			Hemolysis

ISSN: 1546-0096