The results showed that individuals who had underlying diabetic nephropathy and BKPyV‐specific innate immunity before transplantation, indicated by the presence of BKPyV‐specific NK cells that secreted IFN‐γ after stimulation with VP1 antigen, were more likely to develop BKPyV DNAuria within 1 year after KT. This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and diabetic kidney disease.