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Identification of early antigen BZLF1/ZEBRA protein of Epstein–Barr virus can predict the effectiveness of antiviral treatment in patients with post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease
Author(s) -
Oertel Stephan H.,
Anagnostopoulos Ioannis,
Hummel Manfred W.,
Jonas Sven,
Riess Hanno B.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2002.03764.x
Subject(s) - bzlf1 , lytic cycle , epstein–barr virus , immunosuppression , immunology , herpesviridae , virus , antigen , gammaherpesvirinae , medicine , virology , post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder , lymphoproliferative disorders , biology , viral disease , lymphoma
Summary. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated B‐cell lymphoproliferations may arise in solid organ transplant recipients. In these patients, an insufficient control of EBV‐infected B cells commonly occurs. Antiviral treatment against EBV may represent a causal, relatively low‐toxic treatment option. Treatment with foscarnet, an inhibitor of viral‐DNA polymerase, in three patients with EBV‐associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after heart ( n = 2) and heart/kidney transplantation ( n = 1), who did not respond to, or were not eligible for reduction of immunosuppression, resulted in complete remission (48+, 27 and 15 months respectively). Response of PTLD to antiviral treatment correlated with the expression of lytic phase antigen BZLF1/ZEBRA protein, an early antigen of lytic EBV‐activity, in the biopsied PTLD specimens.