Heterogeneity in clinical course of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a severe complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Clinical presentations: Among 263 individuals treated with allo-HSCT for severe aplastic anemia, pure white cell aplasia, T-prolymphocytic leukemia, and relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma, we diagnosed EBV-PTLD in 5 patients. Median age was 29 years (range 19-70 years) and four of five patients were EBV-seropositive prior to HSCT. All five had unrelated EBV-positive donors. In all cases, PTLD occurred within the first year post-transplant (median 4 months). INTERVENTION: There were two rapidly fatal courses with extensive organ involvement. Both patients showed lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia. In contrast, the three surviving patients had higher lymphocytes and normal platelet counts, while PTLD was restricted to one site and resolved after 2-4 cycles of rituximab. CONCLUSION: In this case series courses of PTLD showed substantial diversity.