Disseminated Bartonella or Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease in Pediatric Transplant Patients: A Diagnostic Challenge.
David Thomas, Erica Merlino, Chris Lamprecht et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A pediatric kidney transplant patient presented with fever, lymphadenopathy, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. An extensive workup for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) was initiated, including PET scans and biopsies. Ultimately, the diagnosis was confirmed as disseminated Bartonella henselae infection, leading to appropriate treatment and significant symptom improvement, allowing the patient to resume prior immunosuppressive therapy.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for disseminated Bartonella in pediatric transplant patients presenting with symptoms that may mimic PTLD, as both conditions can coexist and require careful differentiation.
Why it matters
This case highlights the diagnostic challenges in pediatric transplant patients, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluations to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate management of overlapping conditions.