Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in posttransplantation T cell lymphoma in a kidney transplant recipient: Case report and review

Posttransplantation T cell lymphomas (PTTLs) are rather unusual, and their etiology remains unclear We describe a case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-ass ociated small bowel T cell lymphoma in a patient 5 years after kidney trans plantation. EBV was detected in a biopsy sample by in situ hybridization, i mmunohistochemical staining, and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Eight previously reported cases of EBV-associated PTTL are reviewed, in which spe cial attention is paid to the methods used for assessing EBV, This case of EBV-associated PTTL is believed to be the most completely studied from the point of view of the methods used for detection of EBV. The prognosis of PT TL is poor, but it has been reported that therapeutic approaches can be suc cessful if they are given early in the course of the illness, Therefore, it is necessary to improve the diagnosis PTTL. and to assess the precise invo lvement of EBV in posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders.