Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case report

Background: Tacrolimus is regarded as a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy after lung transplantation. Tacrolimus-induced neurotoxicity is common, while late-onset severe encephalopathy is rare. Case presentation: We report a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with confusion and limb st...

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Main Authors: Qiaoyan Lian, Lulin Wang, Peihang Xu, Li Wei, Shouning Zhou, Xiuhua Li, Xin Xu, Jianxing He, Chunrong Ju
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024157362
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author Qiaoyan Lian
Lulin Wang
Peihang Xu
Li Wei
Shouning Zhou
Xiuhua Li
Xin Xu
Jianxing He
Chunrong Ju
author_facet Qiaoyan Lian
Lulin Wang
Peihang Xu
Li Wei
Shouning Zhou
Xiuhua Li
Xin Xu
Jianxing He
Chunrong Ju
author_sort Qiaoyan Lian
collection DOAJ
description Background: Tacrolimus is regarded as a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy after lung transplantation. Tacrolimus-induced neurotoxicity is common, while late-onset severe encephalopathy is rare. Case presentation: We report a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with confusion and limb stiffness 29 months after undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for bronchiectasis. She received immunosuppressive regimen consisting of low-dose tacrolimus, sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone due to renal insufficiency. Neurological examination revealed gaze deviation towards the right side in both eyes, as well as nuchal rigidity. The muscle strength of her extremities was at grade 1–2, and muscle tone was increased, with a bilateral positive Babinski sign. Blood tests revealed that tacrolimus and sirolimus levels were within the therapeutic range. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed that periventricular white matter lesions were slightly more extensive than those observed prior to transplantation. Lumbar puncture showed that cerebrospinal fluid pressure and composition were normal. A diagnosis of tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy was made after a thorough clinical examination. Subsequently, cyclosporine was administered instead of tacrolimus for anti-rejection therapy, and she has remained free of neurological symptoms since then. The improvement of clinical symptoms following the withdrawal of tacrolimus supports the drug-induced etiology of this neurological disorder. Conclusions: We highlight that tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy can occur in a late stage after lung transplantation and may occur with tacrolimus whole blood concentrations within the therapeutic range.
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spelling doaj-art-875f09bf1db948aa936628ae7a27f94a2024-11-15T06:13:16ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-11-011021e39705Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case reportQiaoyan Lian0Lulin Wang1Peihang Xu2Li Wei3Shouning Zhou4Xiuhua Li5Xin Xu6Jianxing He7Chunrong Ju8State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Organ transplantation, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Organ transplantation, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Organ transplantation, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR ChinaDepartment of pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR ChinaDepartment of pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Organ transplantation, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Organ transplantation, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Organ transplantation, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR China; Corresponding author. NO.151, Yanjiang Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, PR China.State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Organ transplantation, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR China; Corresponding author. NO.151, Yanjiang Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120 PR China.Background: Tacrolimus is regarded as a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy after lung transplantation. Tacrolimus-induced neurotoxicity is common, while late-onset severe encephalopathy is rare. Case presentation: We report a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with confusion and limb stiffness 29 months after undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for bronchiectasis. She received immunosuppressive regimen consisting of low-dose tacrolimus, sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone due to renal insufficiency. Neurological examination revealed gaze deviation towards the right side in both eyes, as well as nuchal rigidity. The muscle strength of her extremities was at grade 1–2, and muscle tone was increased, with a bilateral positive Babinski sign. Blood tests revealed that tacrolimus and sirolimus levels were within the therapeutic range. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed that periventricular white matter lesions were slightly more extensive than those observed prior to transplantation. Lumbar puncture showed that cerebrospinal fluid pressure and composition were normal. A diagnosis of tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy was made after a thorough clinical examination. Subsequently, cyclosporine was administered instead of tacrolimus for anti-rejection therapy, and she has remained free of neurological symptoms since then. The improvement of clinical symptoms following the withdrawal of tacrolimus supports the drug-induced etiology of this neurological disorder. Conclusions: We highlight that tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy can occur in a late stage after lung transplantation and may occur with tacrolimus whole blood concentrations within the therapeutic range.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024157362Lung transplantTacrolimusEncephalopathyCase report
spellingShingle Qiaoyan Lian
Lulin Wang
Peihang Xu
Li Wei
Shouning Zhou
Xiuhua Li
Xin Xu
Jianxing He
Chunrong Ju
Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case report
Heliyon
Lung transplant
Tacrolimus
Encephalopathy
Case report
title Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case report
title_full Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case report
title_fullStr Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case report
title_full_unstemmed Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case report
title_short Late-onset tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient: Case report
title_sort late onset tacrolimus induced encephalopathy in lung transplant recipient case report
topic Lung transplant
Tacrolimus
Encephalopathy
Case report
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024157362
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