title: Utility of quantitative EBV DNA measurements in cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of central nervous system EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a rare but life- threatening condition. Despite routine EBV DNA-emia monitoring in blood, central nervous system involvement of the disease is still associated with diagnostic difficulties and poor outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a 17-year-old female patient with severe aplastic anemia who developed central nervous system EBV-associated PTLD after matched unrelated allo-HSCT. EBV DNA concentration in cerebrospinal fluid was initially tested due to central nervous system-related symptoms. The sample was found to be highly EBV DNA-positive. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) measurements, therapy efficiency was monitored until complete remission of the EBV-associated PTLD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The case report illustrates the high utility of quantitative real-time PCR EBV measurements in cerebrospinal fluid for rapid diagnosis and therapy monitoring of central nervous system EBV-associated PTLDs after allo-HSCT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Diagnostics, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bocian
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Diagnostics, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000628:therapy*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous