Identification and Treatment of Tuberculosis in Pediatric Recipients of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis is a rare but life-threatening complication in patients who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Early identification and intervention are essential to prevent severe complications.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report two pediatric patients who developed tuberculosis after receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for thalassemia major among 330 recipients between January 2012 and August 2019. Patient A presented with pulmonary tuberculosis and patient B presented with lymph node tuberculosis mimicking post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder associated with Epstein-Barr virus reactivation. Patient B's condition was deteriorated, and shortly after the initiation of anti-tuberculosis therapy, the patient was found to have disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis. Patient B was also found to have tuberculous granulomas, an uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis causing severe airway obstruction. Both patients developed critical respiratory failure and required mechanical ventilation; however, they recovered with almost full resolution of pulmonary lesions after multiple treatment adjustments.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis must be carefully evaluated in all pediatric patients that receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, regardless of the identification of other pathogens. Prophylactic tuberculosis therapy should be considered for high-risk pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients from tuberculosis-endemic regions.