Sequential infection of Epstein‐Barr virus and cryptococcal encephalitis after umbilical cord blood transplantation in a child with X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy

Abstract

A wide range of pathogens, including viruses and fungi, can cause encephalitis/meningitis in children, especially in patients who have undergone allo-HSCT. The incidence of viral encephalitis is approximately 1.2%-1.8% after HSCT. 1,2 Fungal encephalitis/meningitis is a rare and life-threatening complication in patients undergoing allo-HSCT. 3 From a literature review, the incidence of fungal encephalitis/meningitis ranges from 0.6% to 3%. 4-6 EBV encephalitis has been described as a rare event in the post-HSCT setting. Cryptococcosis is also extremely rare in allo-HSCT recipients, with only six cases reported, including four cases in patients who have underwent UCBT. 7 Our case describes sequential infection with EBV and cryptococcal encephalitis that occurred after UCBT in a pediatric patient.