Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Low-Risk Lung Transplant Recipient Manifesting as a Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Introduction Community-acquired Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a seronegative transplant recipient (R) from a seronegative donor (D) is a rare occurrence that carries significant clinical and prognostic implications. Few case reports exist describing this entity in lung transplant recipients. Case Report A 58-year-old man with bilateral lung transplant for sarcoidosis presented with three days of diarrhea and dyspnea. He underwent an uneventful bilateral lung transplantation (CMV D-/R-) six weeks prior, receiving basiliximab and methylprednisolone for induction. He was discharged two weeks later on tacrolimus, mycophenolate motefil, and prednisone taper as maintenance immunosuppression. He was receiving acyclovir for herpes viruses prophylaxis. He was seen weekly post-discharge and continued to have clear chest radiographs and unremarkable bloodwork. On presentation, his physical examination was notable for decreased breath sounds at the right base. His laboratory values revealed creatinine of 2.4 mg/dL. His chest radiograph showed new right pleural effusion. He was admitted for hydration and diarrhea work up. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed mild diverticulitis with no colitis and his stool studies were positive for Clostridium difficile. Chest CT showed hazy and linear markings with thin-walled cysts in right lower lobe, adjacent to a moderate pleural effusion. CMV by polymerase chain reaction resulted at 318,200 copies/mL. He was treated with intravenous ganciclovir and underwent a thoracenthesis. Half a liter of clear pleural fluid was removed and was notable for lymphocytic predominance of 72% as well as polytypic plasma cells and a small number of B lymphocytes with no surface immunoglobulins on flow cytometry. Subsequent radiograph showed completely re-expanded lung. Within two days, the effusion re-accumulated and additional half a liter were drained, revealing of 95% lymphocytes, with complete re-expansion of the lung. Concomitant viral load remained elevated at 150,328 copies/mL. He was discharged on valganciclovir, his viral load decreased to an undetectable level, and his radiographs have remained free of effusion. Summary While primary CMV infection is rare in low-risk lung transplant recipients, CMV disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early post-operative pleural effusion. Community-acquired Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a seronegative transplant recipient (R) from a seronegative donor (D) is a rare occurrence that carries significant clinical and prognostic implications. Few case reports exist describing this entity in lung transplant recipients. A 58-year-old man with bilateral lung transplant for sarcoidosis presented with three days of diarrhea and dyspnea. He underwent an uneventful bilateral lung transplantation (CMV D-/R-) six weeks prior, receiving basiliximab and methylprednisolone for induction. He was discharged two weeks later on tacrolimus, mycophenolate motefil, and prednisone taper as maintenance immunosuppression. He was receiving acyclovir for herpes viruses prophylaxis. He was seen weekly post-discharge and continued to have clear chest radiographs and unremarkable bloodwork. On presentation, his physical examination was notable for decreased breath sounds at the right base. His laboratory values revealed creatinine of 2.4 mg/dL. His chest radiograph showed new right pleural effusion. He was admitted for hydration and diarrhea work up. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed mild diverticulitis with no colitis and his stool studies were positive for Clostridium difficile. Chest CT showed hazy and linear markings with thin-walled cysts in right lower lobe, adjacent to a moderate pleural effusion. CMV by polymerase chain reaction resulted at 318,200 copies/mL. He was treated with intravenous ganciclovir and underwent a thoracenthesis. Half a liter of clear pleural fluid was removed and was notable for lymphocytic predominance of 72% as well as polytypic plasma cells and a small number of B lymphocytes with no surface immunoglobulins on flow cytometry. Subsequent radiograph showed completely re-expanded lung. Within two days, the effusion re-accumulated and additional half a liter were drained, revealing of 95% lymphocytes, with complete re-expansion of the lung. Concomitant viral load remained elevated at 150,328 copies/mL. He was discharged on valganciclovir, his viral load decreased to an undetectable level, and his radiographs have remained free of effusion. While primary CMV infection is rare in low-risk lung transplant recipients, CMV disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early post-operative pleural effusion.