A 35-year-old man diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia achieved a second complete remission following salvage chemotherapy after a first relapse. Stem cell transplantation from an HLA-matched unrelated donor was performed following myeloablative conditioning. CMV serostatus was D−, R−. To prevent GvHD, cyclosporine with a short course of methotrexate was administered. Numerous complications occurred after transplantation, including an human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis. For the latter, ganciclovir was started and replaced after 24 hours by foscarnet because of concerns about known associated myelotoxicity with high doses of ganciclovir. Phosphonoformate crystalluria (proven by infrared spectrometry) was observed 7 days after onset of foscarnet associated with a nonglomerular hematuria but without renal tubular epithelial cells in urine sediment. Because of a stable kidney function, foscarnet administration was maintained at unchanged doses. Despite the human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis resolution, the patient died from acute respiratory failure due to uncontrolled bleeding.
A 73-year-old man, previously diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from an HLA-haploidentical donor. CMV serostatus: D−, R−. GvHD prophylaxis consisted of post-transplant cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. In the post-transplantation phase, the patient presented several complications, including oral herpes (HSV1) infection. Because of proven in vitro valaciclovir resistance, foscarnet was introduced: phosphonoformate crystalluria was observed at day 11 after onset of therapy. Neither red blood cells nor any other cells were seen in the urine sediment. The patient developed AKI KDIGO stage 2 at day 12. The viral infection was effectively treated, but the patient died 2 months later due to an invasive fungal infection.