Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in a patient treated with anti-thymocyte globulin for severe aplastic anemia

Am J Hematol. 2006 May;81(5):355-7. doi: 10.1002/ajh.20560.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and reactivation is an increasing complication in immune deficient patients, particularly after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Therapy with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is associated with higher incidence of EBV-related disease in HSCT patients, but this risk is not documented in patients receiving ATG for severe aplastic anemia (SAA). We describe the case of a patient who developed an EBV infection, with the clinical features of an infectious mononucleosis, after immune suppression with cyclosporine and two courses of ATG for SAA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Aplastic / drug therapy*
  • Anemia, Aplastic / immunology
  • Antilymphocyte Serum / administration & dosage
  • Antilymphocyte Serum / therapeutic use*
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / etiology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Opportunistic Infections / etiology*
  • Opportunistic Infections / immunology

Substances

  • Antilymphocyte Serum
  • DNA, Viral
  • Immunosuppressive Agents