Early intervention in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders based on Epstein–Barr viral load

Abstract

Using a real-time quantitative PCR assay, we identified two patients with EBV-related lymphoproliferative disorders at a very early stage. Both had received an unmanipulated bone marrow transplant with anti-thymocyte globulin for conditioning. To estimate virus-specific immunity, the frequencies of EBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells were measured using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The frequencies of EBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells of the two were 3.2 and 7.7%, respectively, which had possibly expanded in vivo. After withdrawing the immunosuppressive agents or administering donor lymphocytes transfusion, their symptoms regressed in parallel with the viral load. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 199–201.