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Epstein-Barr virus-associated pneumonia and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in a lung transplant recipient

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Abstract

We report the case of a 25-year-old lung and liver transplant recipient who developed respiratory failure. High levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome copies were detectable in respiratory tract specimens, while the search for various other viral, bacterial or fungal pathogens remained empty. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease was excluded. Due to the rapid progression of respiratory insufficiency, a re-transplantation of the lung was performed. EBV-encoded small RNAs could be demonstrated by in situ hybridization within pneumocytes and lymphocytes of the explanted lung tissue. The clinical situation improved soon after re-transplantation, and the EBV load detected in the lower respiratory tract decreased significantly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Virology and Antiviral Therapy, Jena University Hospital—Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 2, 07740, Jena, Germany

    Andi Krumbholz, Roland Zell, Peter Wutzler & Andreas Sauerbrei

  2. Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital—Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07740, Jena, Germany

    Andi Krumbholz, Renate Egerer & Eberhard Straube

  3. Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Surgery, Jena University Hospital—Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07740, Jena, Germany

    Tim Sandhaus & Martin Breuer

  4. Institute of Pathology, Jena University Hospital—Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Ziegelmühlenweg 1, 07740, Jena, Germany

    Angela Göhlert

  5. Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    Albert Heim

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  1. Andi Krumbholz
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  2. Tim Sandhaus
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  3. Angela Göhlert
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Correspondence to Andi Krumbholz.

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Krumbholz, A., Sandhaus, T., Göhlert, A. et al. Epstein-Barr virus-associated pneumonia and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in a lung transplant recipient. Med Microbiol Immunol 199, 317–322 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-010-0165-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-010-0165-y

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