title: Limitations of EBV-PCR monitoring to detect EBV associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
abstract: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) represents a significant threat to the survival of pediatric transplant recipients. Epstein-Barr (EBV) viral load monitoring using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been reported to have a variable sensitively with relatively higher specificity as in an indicator of the development of PTLD. We report two cases of pathologically confirmed PTLD in children who failed to develop sustained increases in their EBV-PCR determined viral loads. We suggest that clinicians should be aware of the potential for false-negative results of EBV-PCR in pediatric transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. davaxe@umich.edu
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Axelrod
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents