Open AccessPost-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in an adolescent masquerading as a complicated primary EBV infection
Author(s) -
Heather L Henry,
Conrad V. Fernandez,
Gerard Corsten
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.04.2009.1758
Subject(s) - medicine , post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder , lymphoproliferative disorders , epstein–barr virus infection , epstein–barr virus , lymphoproliferative disease , immunology , primary immunodeficiency , primary (astronomy) , pediatrics , virus , lymphoma , immune system , physics , astronomy
This report describes an adolescent girl with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in the setting of intensive immunosuppression for a cardiac transplant. She went on to develop progressive pain, weight loss and night sweats with necrosis of the tonsils over 8 weeks. The clinical impression was initially that of a complicated tonsillitis secondary to immune dysfunction. Biopsy 2 months after first presentation demonstrated diffuse B cell lymphoma consistent with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). We present this case to highlight the need for a high degree of clinical suspicion for PTLD in a population of patients who commonly experience primary exposure to EBV.