Plasma Epstein-Barr viral load predicting response after chemotherapy for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease

Clin Exp Med. 2008 Jun;8(2):129-32. doi: 10.1007/s10238-008-0168-9. Epub 2008 Jul 11.

Abstract

Transplant patients are particularly at risk of developing B post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) related to intensive immunosuppressive treatment to prevent graft rejection. In EBV-positive PTLDs, EBV-DNA can be found in the patients' peripheral blood. Several methods have been described to assess peripheral blood EBV viral load. We report a case of a 13-year-old child who developed EBV-positive PTLD after renal transplantation. We assessed EBV plasma viral load by quantitative PCR and we found that the clearance of EBV-DNA correlated well with response to treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • DNA, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • DNA, Viral