Epstein-Barr virus early-antigen antibodies before allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a marker of risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

Summary The occurrence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) represents a clinical problem. Pretransplant Epstein–Barr virus serological status and viral load was determined in 21 recipients and 28 control transplanted patients, with (+) and without (−) PTLD, respectively. Early-antigen immunoglobulin G (EA-IgG) was detected in 12/21 PTLD+ patients, but only 2/28 PTLD− patients (P = 0·00023, Odds ratio = 17·42). High viral load was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells at PTLD diagnosis, independently of deleted LMP1. Detection of EA-IgG in allo-HSCT recipients pretransplantation might be considered as risk factor for PTLD development.