Pulmonary aspergillosis masquerading as progressive post-transplant lymphoma

Abstract

Abstract We report a patient with post-transplant lymphoma who was treated by renal allograft nephrectomy, discontinuation of immuno-suppressive therapy, and initiation of acyclovir administration. Despite these measures he appeared to have progressive lymphoma. Had a biopsy and cultures not been done, the diagnosis of aspergillosis would have been missed and the patient might have been treated with chemotherapy, with a potentially lethal outcome. Data from the Cincinnati Transplant Tumor Registry indicate that of 662 patients treated for post-transplant lymphoma, 277 patients died of cancer and 137 died of other causes, of which infection was a major factor. This case emphasizes the importance of proper work-up of patients with apparently progressive lymphomas.