Epstein-Barr virus-associated Hodgkin's lymphoma and legionella pneumophila infection complicating treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with methotrexate and cyclosporine A

Hum Pathol. 2000 Feb;31(2):253-5. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(00)80230-0.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 53-month-old girl with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), complicated by the occurrence of Hodgkin's lymphoma and Legionella pneumophila infection during immunosuppressive treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and cyclosporine A (CSA). The girl had received variable anti-inflammatory combination therapy, including MTX for 28 months and CSA for 3 months. Thirty-six months after the onset of arthritis, the girl presented with an enlargement of the lymph nodes of the mediastinum, the hilum of the lungs, and the abdomen. Concomitantly, a diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia was rendered. Autopsy showed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's lymphoma. The neoplastic cells were positive for CD15, CD 30, and latent membrane protein 1 (LMP 1). The present case is the second reported to occur in a child, and it lends support to the hypothesis that immunosuppressive treatment may contribute to an increased risk of the development of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) in pediatric patients suffering from JRA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / virology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Legionnaires' Disease / etiology*
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Methotrexate