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Article in Japanese
A case of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders considered to be caused by Epstein-Barr virus infection
Saki Kuriiwa Hidekazu Matsushima Emiri Tsumiyama Shintaro Sato Keiichi Akasaka Masako Amano
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Red Cross Hospital, Japanese Red Cross Society
A 73-year-old Japanese male visited our hospital following an abnormal non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan. He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 18 years ago, and 10 years ago began treatment with methotrexate (MTX). His chest contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed multiple pulmonary shadows. Pathological examination of the transbronchial lung biopsy showed massive necrosis, with immunohistology revealing numerous CD20-positive lymphocytes. We diagnosed MTX-associated lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPD) based on clinical history and pathological findings. The multiple pulmonary shadows reduced only on withdrawal of MTX. Blood examination showed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, and EBV-encoded small RNA in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH) staining of lung tissue showed numerous EBV-RNA positive lymphocytes. We speculated that the case might have been caused by EBV infection.
Methotrexate (MTX) Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPD) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Received 5 Jul 2017 / Accepted 7 Sep 2017
AJRS, 7(1): 35-38, 2018