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Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:93-95 doi:10.1136/bjo.85.1.93
  • Scientific correspondence

Chorioretinal post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder induced by the Epstein-Barr virus

  1. P F Demols1001,
  2. P M Cochaux1002,
  3. T Velu1002 and
  4. L Caspers-Velu1003
  1. 1001Department of Ophthalmology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium, 1002Department of Medical Genetics, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium, 1003Department of Ophthalmology, St Pierre and Brugmann University Hospitals
  1. Dr P F Demols, Department of Ophthalmology, Erasme Hospital, 808 Route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgiumpaul.demols{at}euronet.be
  • Accepted 27 June 2000

Abstract

BACKGROUND The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is responsible for the lymphoproliferative disorders observed in transplanted patients.

METHODS The case history is described of a 59 year old man with a chorioretinal lesion who had received a single lung transplant and was on immunosuppressive treatment. Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and EBV detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with semiquantification were used on the vitreous material.

RESULTS A proliferation of B lymphocytes with a monoclonal subpopulation was found by PCR on the vitreous sample. The large amounts of EBV genomes found in the vitreous suggest that EBV was the cause of the lymphoproliferation. Healing of the lesion was achieved by a decrease in immunosuppressive treatment and the use of nucleotide analogues.

CONCLUSION The diagnosis of ocular post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) can be made by PCR on vitreous material. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to regression of limited monoclonal lesions.

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