The demanding attention of tuberculosis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: High incidence compared with general population

Tuberculosis after hematopoietic cell transplantation: retrospective study on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the EBMT

Tuberculosis (TB) is rare following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In this multinational retrospective study, we report the frequency, characteristics, and outcome of TB following HCT performed during 2000-2019. Fifty-two patients (35 (67%) males, 15 (29%) children) from 24 centers developed TB following allogeneic (n = 47) or autologous (n = 5) HCT; with the relative frequency of 0.21% and 0.025%, respectively. Forty (77%) were bacteriologically, 12 (23%) clinically confirmed. The median time from HCT to TB was 135 (range, 16-3225) days. Eighteen (35%) patients with extrapulmonary TB (mainly involving lymph nodes and liver/spleen) were significantly younger, developed TB shorter after HCT, more often had inherited underlying disease, and received immunosuppressive therapy at TB diagnosis as compared to pulmonary TB. Five (22%) of 23 patients with drug-susceptibility testing performed, were resistant to at least one anti-TB drug. Treatment success was achieved in 38/50 (76%) of treated patients. One-year overall survival reached 75.7% and the 1-year cumulative incidence of TB-associated death was 18.1%. Concluding, TB is a rare, albeit severe complication, which can develop any time after HCT, frequently involves extrapulmonary sites, and results in high mortality rates. High proportion of drug-resistant TB warrants routine susceptibility testing.

Case report: Difficult diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: two case reports and a literature review

Background

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a relatively infrequent infection encountered during hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). The identification of MTB following HSCT remains a complex task, with delayed detection and misdiagnosis potentially resulting in unfavorable outcomes. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) represents a novel, highly sensitive, and rapid diagnostic tool in clinical settings for discerning intricate infections and detecting exceedingly rare pathogens.

Methods

With the aid of mNGS, we diagnosed MTB in the lymph nodes and lungs of two patients with hematological diseases following allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Both patients presented with a fever, localized symptoms, and clinical signs. Following inconclusive results from routine tests, impractical biopsy procedures, and unsuccessful responses to empirical treatments, mNGS was employed as a final recourse, revealing DNA fragments of MTB in blood samples.

Results

The diagnoses were ultimately confirmed in conjunction with additional clinical evidence. The application of mNGS in MTB cases after allogeneic HSCT has rarely been reported. The mNGS technique can provide a prompt and highly sensitive indication leading to the definitive diagnosis of MTB in complex post-transplant scenarios.

Implementation of a Routine Screening Program for Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Patients with Acute Leukemia at a Canadian Cancer Center

BACKGROUND

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with hematological malignancy is recommended because of their increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). We assessed the utility of tuberculin skin test (TST) screening in patients with acute leukemia and subsequent outcomes of LTBI treatment.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated patients ≥16 years of age with acute leukemia from 2013-2014 with a TST planted and read prior to the initiation of antineoplastic chemotherapy treatment. Demographics, clinical information and treatment outcomes of LTBI therapy were compared between patients with positive TST (≥10 mm induration) and negative TST.

RESULTS

A total of 389 patients with acute leukemia were included in the cohort. Of them, 37/389 (9.5%) had a positive TST. Only 3.4% (8/235) of individuals originating from North and South America as well as the Caribbean were TST positive, while 21% (20/95) of individuals from Asia were TST positive. Diagnostic imaging findings consistent with prior tuberculosis infection were higher in TST positive patients compared to TST negative ones (29.7% versus 9.4%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, 31/38 patients (81.6%) who were TST positive received LTBI therapy, which was well tolerated. There was no significant difference in overall survival among those who received LTBI therapy compared to those who did not. No patients developed active TB.

CONCLUSIONS

Universal screening with TST may be of low yield in individuals with acute leukemia unless patients originate from a TB endemic country. When therapy for LTBI is prescribed, patients with acute leukemia do not experience drug-induced liver toxicity and are likely to complete the intended duration of therapy, thus preventing the development of active tuberculosis.

Tuberkulose im Erwachsenenalter

Die Tuberkulose ist in Deutschland eine seltene, überwiegend gut behandelbare Erkrankung. Weltweit ist sie eine der häufigsten Infektionserkrankungen mit ca. 10 Millionen Neuerkrankungen/Jahr. Auch bei einer niedrigen Inzidenz in Deutschland bleibt Tuberkulose insbesondere aufgrund der internationalen Entwicklungen und Migrationsbewegungen eine wichtige Differenzialdiagnose. In Deutschland besteht, aufgrund der niedrigen Prävalenz der Erkrankung und der damit verbundenen abnehmenden klinischen Erfahrung, ein Informationsbedarf zu allen Aspekten der Tuberkulose und ihrer Kontrolle. Diese Leitlinie umfasst die mikrobiologische Diagnostik, die Grundprinzipien der Standardtherapie, die Behandlung verschiedener Organmanifestationen, den Umgang mit typischen unerwünschten Arzneimittelwirkungen, die Besonderheiten in der Diagnostik und Therapie resistenter Tuberkulose sowie die Behandlung bei TB-HIV-Koinfektion. Sie geht darüber hinaus auf Versorgungsaspekte und gesetzliche Regelungen wie auch auf die Diagnosestellung und präventive Therapie einer latenten tuberkulösen Infektion ein. Es wird ausgeführt, wann es der Behandlung durch spezialisierte Zentren bedarf.

Die Aktualisierung der S2k-Leitlinie „Tuberkulose im Erwachsenenalter“ soll allen in der Tuberkuloseversorgung Tätigen als Richtschnur für die Prävention, die Diagnose und die Therapie der Tuberkulose dienen und helfen, den heutigen Herausforderungen im Umgang mit Tuberkulose in Deutschland gewachsen zu sein.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Italian Cohort Study in Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome

The results of tuberculosis (TB) screening and reactivation in a cohort of 323 adult patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from 2015 to 2019 at the University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, were reported. A total of 260 patients, 59 (18.3%) autologous and 264 (81.7%) allogeneic transplants, underwent Interferon Release (IFN)-γ (IGRA) test screening: 228 (87.7%) were negative, 11 (4.2%) indeterminate and 21 (8.1%) positive. Most of the IGRA-positive patients were of Italian origin (95.2%) and significantly older than the IGRA-negative (p < 0.001); 22 (8.5%) patients underwent a second IGRA during the first year after transplantation, and 1 tested positive for IGRA. Significantly lower monocyte (p = 0.044) and lymphocyte counts (p = 0.009) were detected in IGRA negative and IGRA indeterminate patients, respectively. All latent TB patients underwent isoniazid prophylaxis, and none of them progressed to active TB over a median follow-up period of 63.4 months. A significant decline in TB screening practices was shown from 2015 to 2019, and approximately 19% of patients were not screened. In conclusion, 8.1% of our HSCT population had LTBI, all received INH treatment, and no reactivation of TB was observed during the follow-up period. In addition, 19% escaped screening and 8% of these came from countries with a medium TB burden, therefore at higher risk of possible development of TB.

Study of clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes for tuberculosis post allogeneic stem cell transplant: never count it out

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic stem cell transplant (AlloSCT) recipients remain at a higher risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), especially in endemic populations. We conducted a retrospective study to identify the incidence, clinical presentation, and risk factors for active TB among our alloSCT recipients.

METHODS

Records of all patients transplanted between 1 January 2012 and 31 July 2020 were reviewed. Patients were followed up for outcome until 30 September 2020. None of the patients received prophylactic anti-tubercular drugs. Proven diagnosis of active TB was considered if Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was cultured from clinical samples or acid-fast bacilli (AFB) or MTB demonstrated on Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining or histopathology or XPERT MTB, while probable diagnosis of TB was considered if histopathology findings were suggestive of caseation necrosis/epithelioid cell granulomas without any evidence of malignancy or lymphocyte rich exudative effusions (pleural/pericardial) without an alternative cause.

RESULTS

Among 381 alloSCT recipients, 15 patients (3.9%) developed TB at median of 246 (74-279) days post AlloSCT, after being symptomatic for a median of 22 (7-60) days, amounting to a cumulative incidence of 4.9%. All patients were started on four-drug anti tubercular therapy, ATT [Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide (RHEZ)], of which five patients developed hepatotoxicity at a median of 12 days after start of ATT, leading to drug modification. At last follow up, TB was cured in 13 (86.67%) patients, one succumbed to disease relapse, while others are still on treatment. Age ⩾ 30 years, immunosuppression for graft versus host disease (GvHD) > 6 months, prior use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and chronic GvHD on univariate analysis and immunosuppression for GvHD > 6 months on multivariate analysis were found to be associated with development of TB.

CONCLUSION

A high index of suspicion with timely workup and treatment of TB is the key in AlloSCT recipients, especially in endemic TB populations.

Disseminated Tuberculosis with Cholecystitis in a Patient after Cord Blood Transplantation

The incidence of an active tuberculosis infection after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is high. We herein report the case of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia after cord blood transplantation (CBT). On day 36 after CBT, the patient developed fever, and a computed tomography scan on day 36 showed mild thickening of the wall of the gallbladder. Subsequently, a sputum specimen and a blood culture returned positive for the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. After 2 months of administering combination therapy, both the symptoms and gallbladder findings improved. We therefore describe a case of disseminated tuberculosis with the gallbladder mimicking acute cholecystitis in a CBT recipient.

A Targeted Screening Program for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

US hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients have a low prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), but if latently infected they are at risk for progression to active tuberculosis. At our center, all HCT recipients underwent LTBI testing pretransplant by tuberculin skin testing (TST) until 2013 when we implemented a targeted screening program. Our objective was to assess the utility of our screening program that incorporated a pretransplant LTBI questionnaire to target TST and QuantiFERON TB Gold (QFT) testing.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of HCT recipients undergoing first transplant from 2014 to 2016. Patients with positive, indeterminate, and a subset with negative QFT results underwent electronic medical record (EMR) review to assess TST results and risk factors for LTBI.

RESULTS

Among 1290 eligible recipients, 457 (35%) had at least 1 risk factor for LTBI on the pretransplant questionnaire; nonwhites were more likely to undergo LTBI testing (P < .0001). Overall, 16 of 1290 (1.2%) had at least 1 positive LTBI test. Of those screened by QFT, 14 of 457 (3%) were positive and 52 (11%) were indeterminate. Among those undergoing EMR review, 123 of 267 (46%) had TST records; 4 of 123 (3%) positive by both TST and QFT, and 2 (2%) by TST alone. Two or more risk factors were reported among the majority of LTBI-positive patients (15 of 16 [94%]). All patients with at least 1 positive test for LTBI (n = 16) were evaluated, and 11 of 16 (69%) were recommended to receive treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating a pretransplant LTBI questionnaire allowed for an approximate 65% reduction in LTBI testing when compared with universal testing among this low prevalence population.

Allo-HSCT recipients with invasive fungal disease and ongoing immunosuppression have a high risk for developing tuberculosis

Patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are at high risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) due to a status of immunosuppression. We conducted a nested case control study to investigate the incidence and risk factors for TB after allo-HSCT. Between 2012 and 2017, 730 consecutive allo-HSCT recipients were enrolled, and 14 patients (1.92%) were diagnosed with TB. Relatively, 54 allo-HSCT recipients were selected as control. Patients who suffered TB had a significantly higher 3-year non-relapse mortality rate than the control group (30.36% vs 5.39%, P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, invasive fungal disease (HR 4.87, 95% CI 1.39–17.09), treatment with a relatively high dose of prednisone (HR 10.34, 95% CI 1.12–95.47) and treatment with tacrolimus (HR 4.79, 95% CI 1.18–19.44) were identified independent risk factors for TB occurrence post allo-HSCT (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, donor type, dose and type of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) administrated, as well as treatment intensity, did not alter the incidence of TB. Therefore, allo-HSCT recipients with unexplained fever, especially those who suffer from invasive fungal disease and ongoing immunosuppression with a relatively high dose of prednisone or tacrolimus, are at a high-risk of developing active TB. Closely Monitoring TB occurrence, making a timely diagnosis and administering the proper treatment may be beneficial to those high-risk patients.

Is Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection life long?

People with immunoreactivity to tuberculosis are thought to have lifelong asymptomatic infection and remain at risk for active tuberculosis. Marcel A Behr and colleagues argue that most of these people are no longer infected

[Prophylaxis of infections post-allogeneic transplantation: Guidelines from the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC)]

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative treatment for many hematological diseases. However, this procedure causes the patient to be susceptible to infection. Prophylactic treatments are administered in clinical practice even thought the level of evidence of their effectiveness is not always high. In addition, changes in the transplantation procedures - use of reduced intensity conditioning, development of alternative graft sources - must lead to a rethinking of attitudes towards prophylaxis. Our working group based its recommendations on a review of referential articles and publications on the subject found in the literature. These recommendations concern the prophylaxis of infections caused by HSV1, HSV2, varicella zoster, and hepatitis B, as well as anti-bacterial and digestive decontamination prophylaxis, prevention of pneumocystis, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, as well as prophylaxis of fungal infections. Other infectious agents usually involved in infections post-allotransplant have been the subject of another set of recommendations from the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.

An update on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is common worldwide, but is rarely reported after hematopoietic transplantation (HSCT). We reviewed all TB cases among HSCT since 2010 to provide an update on its epidemiology, clinical presentation, management and outcome.

METHODS

Several databases were reviewed from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2018 using key words tuberculosis and hematopoietic transplantation.

RESULTS

The 47 cases of TB were reported during the study period. The highest TB frequency was reported from India (2.9%), with a median frequency of 2% (range, 0.18%-2.9%). The majority were recipients of allogeneic transplants (45/47, 95.7%). Pulmonary TB was the most common clinical presentation (20/47, 42.6%). The median time to clinical presentation was 4.6 (range, 3-12.9) and 2.4 (range, 0.6-5) months, based on cohort data and case reports, respectively. Fever was reported in 87.5% (14/16) of patients. First-line quadruple drug therapy was frequently used (29/35, 82.9%), with a median length of 12 and 9 months for cohorts and case reports, respectively. All-cause and attributable mortality was 27.6% (13/47), and 8.5% (4/47), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Mycobacterium tuberculosis presents early after HSCT, most commonly as fever. A high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and treatment, to prevent TB-attributable mortality.

Infectious complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: current status and future perspectives in Korea

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment for hematologic malignancies, immune deficiencies, or genetic diseases, ect. Recently, the number of HSCTs performed in Korea has increased and the outcomes have improved. However, infectious complications account for most of the morbidity and mortality after HSCT. Post-HSCT infectious complications are usually classified according to the time after HSCT: pre-engraftment, immediate post-engraftment, and late post-engraftment period. In addition, the types and risk factors of infectious complications differ according to the stem cell source, donor type, conditioning intensity, region, prophylaxis strategy, and comorbidities, such as graft-versushost disease and invasive fungal infection. In this review, we summarize infectious complications after HSCT, focusing on the Korean perspectives.