Autoreactive antibodies following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

A 35-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple myeloma (IgG, lambda type, stage IIIA) received an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT). She was euthyroid without autoreactive antibodies prior to the transplant. The patient complained of malaise, weight loss and low grade fever 1 month after transplant, despite rapid haematopoietic recovery. Thyroid function tests on day 34 revealed hyperthyroidism associated with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody. Antinuclear antibody was also detected, and platelet-associated immunoglobulin was increased. These findings disappeared spontaneously by day 62 without treatment. Autoimmune diseases may occur transiently after autologous PBSCT.