Successful treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-induced transverse myelitis with ganciclovir and cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin following unrelated bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract

We report a patient who developed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced transverse myelitis 19 months after unrelated bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The disease was diagnosed by physical examination, serologic determinations, EBV-specific polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood lymphocytes and cerebrospinal fluid, and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging scan of the spine. The patient was treated with ganciclovir and cytomegalovirus (CMV) hyperimmune globulin. He gradually improved and recovered completely within 4 weeks. This case suggests that ganciclovir and CMV hyperimmune globulin appear to be effective for the treatment of EBV-induced transverse myelitis in immunocompromised patients following BMT.

• Authors: B Gruhn, A Meerbach, R Egerer, H J Mentzel, R Häfer, F Ringelmann, M Sauer, J Hermann, F Zintl
• Journal: Bone marrow transplantation (Bone Marrow Transplant) Vol. 24 Issue 12 Pg. 1355-8 (Dec 1999) ISSN: 0268-3369 [Print] England
• PMID: 10627648 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• Immunoglobulins
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
• cytomegalovirus-specific hyperimmune globulin
• Ganciclovir

Topics

• Adolescent
• Bone Marrow Transplantation (adverse effects)
• Cytomegalovirus (immunology)
• DNA, Viral
• Ganciclovir (administration & dosage)
• Herpesvirus 4, Human
• Humans
• Immunization, Passive
• Immunoglobulins
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Myelitis, Transverse (drug therapy, etiology, virology)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Transplantation, Homologous (adverse effects)