Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive and rare type of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) that commonly presents itself as pleural, pericardial or peritoneal effusion without lymph node or extranodal involvement in immunosuppressed patients, such as HIV-positive or transplanted receptors. On rare occasions, it may be found in solid sites without effusion, in an immunophenotypically and morphologically similar neoplasm well-known as extracavitary PEL (EC-PEL). Both PEL and EC-PEL are associated with extremely poor prognosis. Due to the rarity of these entities, ther e are no gold standard treatments . Here we discuss the role of autologous bone marrow transplant (auto-BMT) in the treatment of these patients as well as report the case of a young HIV-positive male diagnosed with both PEL and EC-PEL, who underwent a salvage therapy with auto-BMT and achieved complete and sustained remission eight years after the diagnosis.

Background: Although SARS-CoV-2 infection is primarily associated with respiratory symptoms, neurological complications have been increasingly recognized, even in the absence of pulmonary involvement. Case presentation: We report a case of a 67-year-old woman with a history of multiple myeloma and recent exposure to a COVID-19-positive individual who developed rapidly progressive neurological symptoms, including dysarthria, dysphagia, and hypoesthesia, without any respiratory manifestations. Her condition deteriorated to focal and dyscognitive status epilepticus, requiring mechanical ventilation. Brain MRI showed imaging features consistent with rhombencephalitis. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed through positive qRT-PCR results from both nasopharyngeal swab and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Further analysis of the CSF using quantitative shotgun proteomics via mass spectrometry revealed a neuroinflammatory profile indicative of blood–brain barrier disruption and differential expression of several proteins relevant to brain function, including the major prion protein, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), and other aggregation-prone proteins. Conclusions: This case supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 can invade the central nervous system and cause severe neurological impairment, even in the absence of typical respiratory symptoms. The findings underscore the importance of considering SARS-CoV-2 in the differential diagnosis of rapidly progressive neurological syndromes and highlight the need for further investigation into the mechanisms of neuroinvasion and the potential neurotropism of emerging viral variants.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation can lead to various pulmonary complications, including acute fibrinous organizing pneumonia. This condition is rare and presents with aggressive clinical features, distinct from other forms of organizing pneumonia, such as cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. A literature review using the PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, and Cochrane databases was conducted to analyze cases of acute fibrinous organizing pneumonia following transplantation focusing on clinical features, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes. The case of a 62-year-old female who developed acute fibrinous organizing pneumonia after transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia is presented. Despite an initial absence of infectious agents, parainfluenza virus was later identified in a bronchoalveolar lavage. The patient progressed to severe hypoxemic respiratory failure and was unresponsive to corticosteroids and rituximab, ultimately dying seven months post-transplant. This is a rare and severe complication following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Early diagnosis, histopathological confirmation, and prompt initiation of corticosteroid therapy are critical for improving outcomes. Patients diagnosed before Day +100 generally have a better response to treatment and more favorable clinical outcomes. The need for a more effective and targeted treatment strategy remains an unmet challenge in managing this condition.