VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The patient's presentation is suggestive of a lymphoproliferative disorder, which is a complication of immunosuppression in transplant recipients. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation is a known risk factor for lymphoproliferative disorders, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The patient's symptoms, including generalized lymphadenopathy, fever, night sweats, weight loss, abdominal pain, and tonsillitis, are suggestive of a lymphoproliferative disorder. The decrease in lymphadenopathy after reducing immunosuppressive medications suggests that the disorder was triggered by immunosuppression. EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders are often characterized by the presence of EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBERs) in lymphocytes, which can be detected by in situ hybridization. The patient's serologic evidence of previous EBV infection increases the likelihood of EBV reactivation.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not take into account the patient's immunosuppressed state and EBV serology. The presentation is not typical of an infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome in a healthy individual.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it does not consider the patient's immunosuppressed state and the presence of EBV serology. The presentation is not typical of a malignant lymphoma in a healthy individual.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it does not take into account the patient's immunosuppressed state and EBV serology. The presentation is not typical of a drug-induced lymphocytosis in a healthy individual.
**Option D:** This option is incorrect because it does not consider the patient's immunosuppressed state and the presence of EBV serology. The presentation is not typical of a viral infection such as CMV or HSV in an immunosuppressed individual.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In transplant recipients, EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders are a known complication of immunosuppression. Reducing immunosuppressive medications can help manage these disorders. EBV serology and EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBERs) can be used as diagnostic markers for EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders.
**Correct Answer:** C. EBV-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.