A Case of T/NK-Cell Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disease 7 Years after Heart Transplantation

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLD) are potentially fatal complications after cardiac transplantation. Most cases are Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-related B-cell tumors, and reduction of immunosuppression treatment as well as the use of rituximab in combination with other chemotherapy ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Makiko Nakamura, Teruhiko Imamura, Kohji Takagi, Masakazu Hori, Shinichi Tanaka, Joji Imura, Koichiro Kinugawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/9/2/38
Description
Summary:Post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLD) are potentially fatal complications after cardiac transplantation. Most cases are Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-related B-cell tumors, and reduction of immunosuppression treatment as well as the use of rituximab in combination with other chemotherapy are effective. However, patients with T/NK-cell PTLD post-cardiac transplantation are rarely reported. We had a patient with a fever that lasted for three weeks, with lung infiltrations and hepatosplenomegaly, who had EBV-associated hemophagocytosis 7 years after heart transplantation and was eventually diagnosed with T/NK-cell PTLD by autopsy. Although rare diseases, regular monitoring of EBV-DNA levels might be crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of PTLD.
ISSN:2308-3425