Background: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication following organ transplantation. The greatest risk is seen in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-seronegative patients receiving allografts from EBV-seropositive donors. We demonstrate a new approach of pre-transplant prophylaxis of EBV-related PTLD, suggesting that, prior to living-related renal transplantation, blood transfusion from an EBV-seropositive donor to an EBV-seronegative recipient could induce primary EBV infection in the recipient, developing EBV immunity and decreasing risk of PTLD.
Methods: Recipients underwent weekly donor-specific blood transfusion (3 x 100 mL) before transplantation. EBV-mRNA expression, viral load, serological tests, and clinical signs of EBV infection were assessed following blood transfusion.
Results: We explored a new approach in 2 young EBV-seronegative renal allograft recipients. Both patients developed primary EBV infection following blood transfusion before transplantation and showed symptom-free seroconversion post-transplantation without persistent EBV activation. There were no signs of PTLD during 5-year follow-up.
Conclusions: A new effective and inexpensive approach is suggested for development of EBV immunity and probably for prophylaxis of EBV-associated PTLD.