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Korean J Transplant 2023; 37(4): 299-305

Published online December 31, 2023

https://doi.org/10.4285/kjt.23.0045

© The Korean Society for Transplantation

T cell posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder after kidney transplantation progressing to acute liver failure: a case report

Jeong Min Cho1 , Yong Chul Kim1,2 , Sangil Min2,3 , Tae Min Kim1 , Hajeong Lee1,2

1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
2Organ Transplantation Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence to: Hajeong Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea
E-mail: mdhjlee@gmail.com

Received: August 4, 2023; Revised: October 17, 2023; Accepted: November 19, 2023

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare and serious complication of kidney transplantation (KT), with 85% of cases being of B cell lineage. We present a case of T cell PTLD (T-PTLD) that rapidly progressed to liver failure, septic shock, and death despite various therapeutic interventions. A 50-year-old woman underwent ABO- and human leukocyte antigen-compatible preemptive living donor KT for diabetic endstage kidney disease under basiliximab induction therapy. During routine monitoring, 2 months after KT, her Epstein-Barr (EB) viral load was found to be elevated to 318,443 copies/mL. Despite a reduction in maintenance immunosuppressants and preemptive rituximab treatment, the EB viremia continued to increase. Eight months after KT, abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed multifocal splenic lesions and nonspecific lymph node enlargement. Concurrently, the patient’s liver function tests began to deteriorate without evidence of viral hepatitis infection. A liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of EB virus-associated T-PTLD with CD3 and CD56 expression. Only 2 months after the PTLD diagnosis, the patient developed acute and severe liver failure. She died 12 days after being hospitalized, despite the administration of rescue cytotoxic chemotherapy. This case exemplifies the challenges of managing refractory EB virus-associated T-PTLD after KT, for which no specific treatment options are currently available. Further research into preventative and therapeutic methods for T-PTLD is warranted.

Keywords: Kidney transplantation, Lymphoproliferative disorders, Lymphoma T cell, Epstein-Barr virus infections

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Monomorphic T cell posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder can occur early after kidney transplantation in rare cases, presenting with fever, Epstein-Barr viremia, splenic infarction, and liver failure.

  • Given its high mortality, additional management strategies are necessary for affected patients.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) represents a rare and severe complication of solid organ transplantation [1]. The incidence rates of PTLD after kidney transplantation (KT) range from 0.9 to 4.6 cases per 1,000 person-years [2]. Most PTLD cases originate from B cells infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); consequently, management strategies predominantly target B cell-driven PTLD (B-PTLD). In contrast, T cell-driven PTLD (T-PTLD) occurs less frequently after solid organ transplantation [3]. The first-line treatment for PTLD involves the reduction of maintenance immunosuppression. However, no treatment options have been established for T-PTLD that is resistant to decreased immunosuppression [4]. Successful remission of refractory T-PTLD has been documented in only a limited number of studies, primarily case series and reports. Despite these efforts, the mortality rate associated with T-PTLD remains extremely high [5].

In this report, we present a fatal case of EBV-associated T-PTLD that rapidly progressed to acute liver failure, septic shock, and death. Despite various therapeutic interventions—including reduction of immunosuppression, introduction of a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, administration of rituximab, and cytotoxic chemotherapy—treatment proved ineffective.

The study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Seoul National University Hospital Institutional Review Board (IRB No. H-2208-158-1354), which waived the requirement for patient consent. Written informed consent for the publication of this case report and any accompanying images was secured from the patient’s daughter, as the patient could not consent due to death.

A 50-year-old woman received a preemptive living donor KT from her daughter for diabetic end-stage kidney disease. She did not display preformed anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies, and her blood type was compatible with the donor type. The patient received inductive basiliximab and a maintenance triple immunosuppressive regimen consisting of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisolone. Table 1 presents the serologic profiles of the donor and recipient before and after the transplant. EBV viral capsid antigen immunoglobulin G antibodies (>750 U/mL) were detected in both donor and recipient prior to KT. Because the recipient’s kidney function remained stable without evidence of rejection, we halved the tacrolimus dosage, discontinued MMF, and initiated sirolimus at a dosage of 1 mg daily, leveraging its antiviral properties. Nevertheless, the EBV viral load approximately doubled, reaching 652,111 copies/mL 4 months after transplantation. Consequently, we administered preemptive rituximab at a dose of 375 mg/m2 for 6 months after KT.

Table 1. Serological profiles of donor and recipient before and after transplant

ProfilePretransplantPosttransplant


DonorRecipientDonorRecipient
EBV
EBV VCA IgG antibodyPositivePositivePositivePositive
EB viral titer (copies/mL)---56,039
CMV
CMV IgG antibodyNonreactiveReactive-Reactive
CMV viral load (IU/mL)---Not detected

For the EB viral capsid antigen IgG antibody, a finding of >750 U/mL was defined as positive. For the CMV IgG antibody, a result of >250 AU/mL was considered to indicate reactivity. Posttransplant serology was tested one week after the transplant.

EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; VCA, viral capsid antigen; IgG, immunoglobulin G; CMV, cytomegalovirus.



Eight months following KT, the patient’s EBV load had decreased to 375,412 copies/mL. However, new multifocal wedge-shaped lesions with low enhancement were detected on abdominopelvic computed tomography (APCT), prompting suspicion of splenic infarction (Fig. 1). Attempts to determine the cause of the infarction using peripheral blood smear, echocardiography, and coagulation-related blood tests were unsuccessful. Nine months after KT, the patient was admitted to the hospital with a fever of 40 °C, flank pain, abnormal liver function (as evidenced by an alanine transaminase [ALT] level of 161 IU/L), and an elevated EBV load of 1,921,952 copies/mL. APCT revealed para-aortic lymph node enlargement and increased splenic lesion margins. Because the clinical presentation was suggestive of PTLD, we performed positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, which revealed heightened metabolic activity in the spleen and lymph nodes along both iliac chains (Fig. 2). A liver biopsy, conducted under suspicion of PTLD involvement, confirmed EBV-associated PTLD of the T cell lineage, with expression of CD3 and CD56 (Fig. 3). The neoplastic lymphoid cells tested positive for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, Ki-67, granzyme B, and EBV in situ hybridization, but they were negative for CD20. In the absence of an established treatment for T-PTLD, we opted to further reduce immunosuppression. The patient continued on tacrolimus, oral prednisolone, and sirolimus, while we monitored her condition closely.

Figure 1. Abdominopelvic computed tomography scan taken 8 months after kidney transplantation. The image reveals the new development of multifocal, wedge-shaped lesions with low enhancement, suggestive of splenic infarction (A, B: axial, C: coronal view).

Figure 2. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) indicative of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). (A) The PET/CT image reveals metabolic uptake in the spleen (arrow) and (B) the lymph nodes of the retroperitoneum and both iliac chains (arrow), suggesting the presence of PTLD.

Figure 3. Pathologic findings of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, characterized by T cell lineage of the liver. (A-C) Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrates infiltration of small lymphoid cells within the sinusoids, accompanied by occasional lobular necroinflammatory activity. The lymphoid cells were positive for (D) CD3, (F) Ki67, and (G) CD56 and negative for (E) CD20. (H, I) EBV in situ hybridization yielded positive results in scattered small T lymphocytes. The scale bar represents 100 μm. (A, B, D–H) ×200, (C, I) ×400 magnification.

Eleven months following KT, the patient presented to the emergency department with symptoms of jaundice and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed icteric sclerae and epigastric tenderness. Laboratory results were consistent with acute liver failure, including levels of aspartate transaminase (AST; 8,442 IU/L), ALT (5,972 IU/L), and total bilirubin (8.9 mg/dL) (Table 2). The patient’s EBV load was markedly elevated, at 6,467,257 copies/mL. Serologic tests for viral hepatitis and real-time polymerase chain reaction for cytomegalovirus returned negative results. APCT revealed multiple hepatic nodules, indicating PTLD with progressive liver involvement (Fig. 4). On the third day of hospitalization, the patient’s body temperature spiked to 39.8 °C. Empirical antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxone at a dosage of 2 g daily and metronidazole at 500 mg three times daily was initiated following blood and urine cultures, although no microorganisms were detected. A rescue chemotherapy regimen (cyclophosphamide [500 mg/m2, day 1], etoposide [50 mg/m2, day 1], vincristine [1.0 mg, day 1], and dexamethasone [4 mg every 8 hours, days 1–7]) was initiated on the 6th day of admission. Unfortunately, the patient died on day 12 of hospitalization.

Table 2. Patient laboratory results on hospital days 1, 3, 7, and 11

VariableHospital day

13711
AST (IU/L)8,4423,78838567
ALT (IU/L)5,9723,051894218
Total bilirubin (mg/dL)8.910.016.020.5
ALP (IU/L)333237197165
Triglyceride (mg/dL)266---
Prothrombin time (INR)2.133.483.703.55
Fibrinogen (mg/dL)80---
EB viral titer (copy/mL)6,467,2572,805,396-45,923
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2)103.9105.5109.1112.5
White blood cell (/µL)6,7706,3303,4401,860
Hemoglobin (g/dL)14.011.09.08.5
Platelet (/µL)165,000121,00047,00043,000
Ferritin (ng/mL)11,570---

AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; INR, international normalized ratio; EB, Epstein-Barr; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate.



Figure 4. Abdominopelvic computed tomography findings revealing multiple hepatic nodules, indicating liver involvement of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Multiple ill-defined nodules (<2 cm) are visible during (A) the arterial phase and (B) the venous phase. PTLD is combined with (C) multiple lymph node enlargement and (D) splenic involvement.

We present a rare and aggressive case of EBV-associated monomorphic T-PTLD with a functioning allograft, occurring within 1 year of KT and resulting in the death of the patient. This case is notable because most T-PTLD cases develop several years after KT and are typically negative for EBV [3]. Given the fatal course and the absence of effective treatments for this condition, further research is necessary to improve the management of this rare disease. Based on two extensive review articles (which analyzed 107 and 58 cases of T-PTLD after KT) and additional case reports, most instances of T-PTLD manifest between 3 to 26 years following KT. Remarkably, only one case of EBV-negative monomorphic peripheral T-PTLD was reported within the first year after KT [3,6]. At our institution, of the 39 PTLD cases diagnosed, only five (12.8%) were T-PTLD (Table 3). Excluding the present case, these T-PTLD cases occurred later, ranging from 104 to 352 months after KT.

Table 3. Summary of T-PTLD cases at our institution

PatientTime to T-PTLD (mo)Clinical presentationHistologyTreatmentOutcome
19Fever; prolonged EB viremia; involvement of spleen, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and liverMonomorphic T cell lymphoma (EBV+)Reduction of immunosuppression
Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor
Rituximab
Chemotherapy (CEOP)
Death 4 mo after diagnosis
2119Fever; splenomegaly; lymph node involvement of neck, axilla, mediastinum, mesentery, retroperitoneum, and inguinal areaAngioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (EBV+)Reduction of immunosuppression
Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor
Chemotherapy (CEOP)
Complete response
3104Presacral mass (6.2 × 1.7 cm), radiating pain, cauda equina syndromeMonomorphic peripheral T cell lymphoma (EBV–)-Death 1 mo after diagnosis
4136Mass-like consolidation and patchy GGO in the left lower lobe of the lungExtranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (EBV+)Chemotherapy (IMEP/Oncaspar, CEOP)Stable disease
5352Skin nodulePrimary cutaneous gamma-delta T cell lymphoma (EBV–)Chemotherapy (CEOP, gemcitabine)
Radiotherapy
Death 17 mo after diagnosis

T-PTLD, T cell posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder; EB, Epstein-Barr; EBV, EB virus; CEOP, cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone; GGO, ground-glass opacity; NK, natural killer; IMEP, ifosfamide, mesna, methotrexate, etoposide, and prednisolone.



According to the World Health Organization’s 2016 classification, PTLD can be classified into two categories: polymorphic and monomorphic, with the latter including B and T/natural killer-cell subtypes [7,8]. Monomorphic PTLD is characterized by the monoclonal proliferation of malignant lymphocytes, while polymorphic PTLD features a mixture of B and T cells exhibiting destructive tissue infiltration [9,10]. Monomorphic T-PTLD tends to have a later onset and usually lacks the EBV genome within tumor cells [11]. However, in our case, the interval between transplantation and the development of T-PTLD was considerably shorter than what is commonly seen in T-PTLD cases. This discrepancy may be explained by the association of early-onset PTLD with EBV positivity, as well as extranodal involvement [12], both of which were observed in our case; nevertheless, further investigation is necessary to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of the relationship between disease onset and EBV serostatus. In the context of EBV positivity in this case, it has been noted that T cells expressing CD21 can be infected by EBV [13], and additional, as yet unidentified, receptors may facilitate EBV infection of T cells [14]. A prolonged and severe EBV infection could trigger an excessive immune response from T cells, and diminished immune surveillance by antitumoral T cells, due to immunosuppressive therapy, may contribute to the development of malignant T-PTLD [15]. Therefore, reduction of immunosuppression is the first-line treatment for PTLD. If this approach is not effective, second-line therapeutic options, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical treatment, are considered [10]. In cases of B-PTLD with CD20 expression, rituximab may be an effective and safe option. However, if EB viremia worsens even after rituximab therapy, T-PTLD should be suspected, as in this case. Furthermore, preliminary studies have indicated promising clinical responses to adoptive immunotherapies, including EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes or donor lymphocyte infusion, although these therapies are not yet standard for PTLD treatment following solid organ transplantation [4]. Therefore, adoptive immunotherapies warrant consideration for treating EBV-associated PTLD, and additional studies are required to assess the efficacy of these therapeutic approaches.

Other immune-mediated or infectious diseases, such as hemophagocytic syndrome or EBV-associated fulminant hepatitis, were ruled out due to pathological findings indicative of PTLD. However, it is important to recognize that these conditions may be precipitated by EBV infection or a state of immunosuppression [16]. Given that our patient exhibited a range of nonspecific signs and symptoms, including fever, splenomegaly, cytopenia, and hypertriglyceridemia, these diseases should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis.

In conclusion, the prognosis of systemic T-PTLD remains poor due to its rarity and aggressive course. At present, no treatments are available for cases of T-PTLD that are refractory to conventional therapy. Consequently, additional research into the prevention and management of T-PTLD is warranted.

Conflict of Interest

Sangil Min is an editorial board member of the journal but was not involved in the peer reviewer selection, evaluation, or decision process of this article. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: YCK, SM, HL. Data curation: all authors. Formal analysis: all authors. Supervision: HL. Visualization: all authors. Writing–original draft: all authors. Writing–review & editing: all authors. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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