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.