EBV-reactivation and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder treated with rituximab.

We read the recent paper on profile of EBV-associated infectious mononucleosis (IM) by Balasubramanian, et al. [1] with interest. They concluded that EBV associated IM is more common in preschool children. Here we highlight another dreaded complication due to reactivation of EBV post-allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) leading to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Mortality rates due to PTLD are reported to be as high as 50–90% [2]. Various therapeutic approaches are suggested for EBV-associated PTLD including anti-B-cell treatments such as rituximab (AntiCD20 monoclonal antibody) [3]. Rituximab alone or combined with low-dose chemotherapy is an effective therapy for EBV-associated PTLD [4,5]. We describe here successful treatment of EBV induced PTLD with rituximab in an infant post-allogeneic SCT.