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Case Report: A Cryptosporidium infection in a patient with relapsed T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Author(s) -
Schiller Joanna,
Klein Sebastian,
Engels Marianne,
Büttner Reinhard,
Rybniker Jan,
Fätkenheuer Gerd,
Scheid Christof,
Wybranski Christian,
Quaas Alexander,
Reinhardt Hans Christian,
Flümann Ruth
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/ejh.12998
Subject(s) - medicine , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , diarrhea , enterocolitis , transplantation , lymphoma , cryptosporidium , gastroenterology , paleontology , biology , feces
Cryptosporidium infection is a rare cause of enterocolitis. In immunocompromised patients, cryptosporidiosis may lead to debilitating and life‐threatening diarrhea and malabsorption, occasionally with multi‐organ involvement. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐ HSCT ) requires long‐term immunosuppressive therapy, while cellular immunity is usually compromised due to intensive conditioning chemotherapy. Diarrhea in patients who underwent allo‐ HSCT may be a sign of an infection, but can also be the result of intestinal graft‐versus‐host disease (Gv HD ). Here, we describe the case of a patient who developed severe diarrhea following allo‐ HSCT for relapsed T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma. Initially, Gv HD was suspected and treatment was initiated accordingly. However, a colon biopsy showed signs of cryptosporide oocysts alongside only low‐grade Gv HD . Following molecular confirmation of the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis, an intensive treatment regimen was started. Despite the severe clinical course, the patient recovered and was discharged with only residual symptoms.