Donor lymphocyte infusion for treatment of life-threatening respiratory syncytial virus infection following bone marrow transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2000 Sep;26(5):573-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1702559.

Abstract

We describe two patients who developed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia after BMT. One died of RSV pneumonia after three courses of steroid pulse therapy. Surprisingly, RSV antigen was identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) obtained post mortem. Steroid pulse therapy might have suppressed anti-RSV immunity, leading to persistent RSV infection for more than 1 month. The other patient received donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) for relapsed plasma cell leukemia, while having active RSV pneumonia. His respiratory condition improved after DLI, and RSV antigen disappeared in BALF and nasal swabs. DLI might be effective in cases of life-threatening RSV pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Blood Donors
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Transfusion*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulse Therapy, Drug
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / etiology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Methylprednisolone