title: Multiple pulmonary nodules caused by B-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after bone marrow transplantation: monitoring Epstein-Barr virus viral load.
abstract: We report a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome who underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation during the first remission. On day 110 he had a low-grade fever and pulmonary nodules, without superficial lymphadenopathy, were observed. The pulmonary nodules gradually increased in size and in number despite administration of anti-fungal and anti-tuberculosis agents. Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed on day 204, yielding a diagnosis of polyclonal post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded RNA (EBER) and CD20. Subsequent measurement of herpesvirus viral load demonstrated a consistent elevation of EBV viral load from day 96 to day 221. After treatment with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab), regression of pulmonary nodules was confirmed and the number of EBV genome copies decreased to a normal range. This case suggests that monitoring the quantitative EBV viral load may be necessary in cases of EBV-associated PTLD, even in cases presenting pulmonary nodules. Solitary pulmonary nodules may be a rare symptom of PTLD, but in such cases, an aggressive approach may be necessary to obtain a correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Nahoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shoji
authors.forename: Junko H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ohyashiki
authors.forename: Akitaka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Naoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsubayashi
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mukai
authors.forename: Kazuma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohyashiki
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D019562:Viral Load