EBV-Associated Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (PTLD) in Allogeneic Transplantation

Abstract

Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (PTLD) following both Solid Organ Transplantation (SOT) and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is a rare life-threatening complication. The majority of PLTDs are associated to Epstein Bar Virus (EBV) [1] reactivation, usually in the early phase [2] after transplant, when the patient is severely immunocompromised and is unable to control virus replication [3]. Despite the mortality of EBV-associated PTLD has been reduced over the years, the different histological patterns of its presentation, ranging from indolent to high grade B cell lymphoma, still play a role in the outcome. Herein, we report the case of a 60-years-old man diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic transplantation and developed a fatal Hemophagocytic Histiocytosis (HLH) secondary to an aggressive EBV-associated PTLD, not responding to a rituximab-based treatment.