12-17-2007, 08:24 AM
A 59-year-old male is evaluated for worsening shortness of breath for 1 week. Fourteen months ago he
received a single right lung transplant for a history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The posttransplant
course was complicated by three episodes of acute rejection in the first year. His current
immunosuppressive medications include prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate. On physical
examination the patient is afebrile with normal vital signs except for a respiratory rate of 20/min. There
are diffuse crackles on the left and diminished breath sounds on the right with dullness to percussion. A
chest radiogram reveals a moderate to large right pleural effusion that was not present 2 months ago.
Evaluation of the pleural fluid shows malignant T lymphocytes that are consistent with primary
lymphoma. Which of the following is most likely to be responsible for the malignant pleural effusion?
A. Cytomegalovirus
B. Epstein-Barr virus
C. Human herpesvirus 8
D. Parvovirus B19
E. Respiratory syncytial virus
received a single right lung transplant for a history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The posttransplant
course was complicated by three episodes of acute rejection in the first year. His current
immunosuppressive medications include prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate. On physical
examination the patient is afebrile with normal vital signs except for a respiratory rate of 20/min. There
are diffuse crackles on the left and diminished breath sounds on the right with dullness to percussion. A
chest radiogram reveals a moderate to large right pleural effusion that was not present 2 months ago.
Evaluation of the pleural fluid shows malignant T lymphocytes that are consistent with primary
lymphoma. Which of the following is most likely to be responsible for the malignant pleural effusion?
A. Cytomegalovirus
B. Epstein-Barr virus
C. Human herpesvirus 8
D. Parvovirus B19
E. Respiratory syncytial virus