title: A prospective study of Epstein-Barr virus load in 85 hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
abstract: EBV viral load (EBV-VL) in PBMC was prospectively determined by semi-quantitative PCR in 85 stem cell transplants (40 genoidentical, 45 non-genoidentical) in order to characterize the kinetics of EBV-VL and to assess the ability of this measure to predict the development of EBV-induced lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD). PCR was performed prior to and after transplantation. An EBV-VL >300 copies/microg DNA was chosen as the threshold for risk of developing an EBV-LPD. Two hundred and fifty-eight EBV-VL measures were evaluable. Five patients (5.9%) developed an EBV-LPD. All had an elevated EBV DNA peak level before EBV-LPD. Fifteen out of 80 recipients (18.7%) without EBV-LPD had EBV levels over 300 copies/microg DNA at least once during the follow-up. Overall, the manifestation of at least one EBV-VL over 300 copies/microg DNA during the entire follow-up demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of EBV-LPD of 100%, 81%, 25% and 100%, respectively. In patients without EBV-LPD, HLA incompatibility, grade > or = II acute GVHD and use of an unmanipulated graft were significantly associated with an EBV-VL >300 copies/microg DNA. This strategy appears sensitive for the diagnosis of EBV-LPD but its positive predictive value has to be improved in order to guide pre-emptive therapy.
authors.affiliation: Unité de transplantation médullaire, Médecine Infantile II, Hôpital d'enfants, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sirvent-Von Bueltzingsloewen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buisson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Souillet
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chambost
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bosson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bordigoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral