Epstein-Barr virus-associated post-transplant lympho-proliferative disease of donor origin in liver transplant recipients

Background/Aims: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, a potential complication of solid organ transplantation, occurs in about 3% of orthotopic liver transplant recipients, We report the genetic and virological characterization of two cases of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease that occurred early (4 and 6 months) after orthotopic liver transplant as large-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas located at the hepatic hilum, Methods: Lymphomatous tissues were analyzed for clonality and presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences by Southern blot, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization techniques, Results: The tumors in both cases were sustained by a clonal proliferation of B lymphocytes containing type A EBV DNA, Moreover, in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled EBV-specific probe evidenced a strong nuclear signal in most of the neoplastic cells, DNA microsatellite analysis at three different loci detected alleles of donor origin in both tumor samples, suggesting that the neoplastic B cells were of donor origin, Conclusions: EBV-infected donor B lymphocytes might be responsible for intragraft post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in orthotopic liver transplant recipients. As 20 to 30% of post-transplant lymphomas involve the graft itself, donor-derived post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease might be more frequent than presently appreciated, Prospective studies are needed to assess its real incidence and identify possible risk factors.