A Fatal Complication of Liver Transplant: Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease

Immunosuppressive therapy is a double-edged sword and causes a risk for some complications, such as opportunistic infections and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease. The most likely risk factors for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease are Epstein-Barr virus serology mismatch, prolonged and high viral load for Epstein-Barr virus, higher doses of immunosuppressive therapy, and cytomegalovirus infection. Transplant recipients who are seropositive for Epstein-Barr virus show a lower risk for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease than seronegative recipients. Here, we present a 3.5-year-old boy who was seropositive for Epstein-Barr virus and developed posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease 18 months after liver transplant with a previous history of cytomegalovirusrelated pneumatosis intestinalis.

Automated summary

Immunosuppressive therapy carries risks for complications, including opportunistic infections and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease. This case report highlights the development of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in a 3.5-year-old boy who was seropositive for Epstein-Barr virus after liver transplant.