Epstein-Barr virus related lymphoma in inflammatory bowel disease

Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2008 Jan-Mar;71(1):33-5.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induced lymphoproliferative disease is a well-known, feared complication of EBV primo-infection in children treated with immunomodulators or immunosuppressive drugs, eg after transplantation. As the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in young children is rising, more young EBV naive patients are treated with immunomodulatory agents. It is not yet clear whether these patients carry the same risk as transplanted patients to develop lymphoproliferative disease and if so, whether their evolution is comparable. We present the history of a young patient with Crohn's disease who developed an EBV related lymphoma shortly after the primo-infection while being treated with azathioprine. This case argues for a rigorous follow up of young IBD patients treated with immune suppressive drugs, also regarding EBV status.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Azathioprine / adverse effects
  • Crohn Disease / complications*
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Lymphoma / etiology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Male

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azathioprine