Association of IL6 and CCL2 gene polymorphisms with the outcome of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Various polymorphisms of non-HLA genes have recently been investigated as candidate risk factors in allogeneic haematopoietic SCT (aHSCT). Our study aimed at exploring possible associations of IL6 and CCL2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with aHSCT outcome. A total of 166 HLA-identical aHSCT pairs recruited in were genotyped for IL6 -174 G/C, IL6 -597 G/A, CCL2 -2518 A/G and CCL2 -2076 A/T SNPs by PCR with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The association between IL6 -174 GG genotype and increased risk of acute GVHD was found in whole study group (P=0.03) and in the subgroup of related aHSCT (P=0.01), association between IL6 -597 GG genotype and the occurrence of acute GVHD was detected only in the related aHSCT pairs (P=0.02). Furthermore, reduction in OS was revealed among recipients possessing IL6 -174(*)G allele in the group of related aHSCT pairs (P=0.04). Presence of CCL2 -2076 TT genotype was associated with decrease of OS (P=0.04) and increase of TRM (P=0.02) in patients transplanted by related donor. These results, in the context of previous findings, suggest that IL6 gene polymorphisms may be associated with aHSCT outcome, particularly in patients transplanted from a related donor.

Mycobacterial Infection: A Difficult and Late Diagnosis in Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

The Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Blood and Marrow Transplant Group conducted a survey to obtain information about the frequency, presentation, and treatment of mycobacterial infection (MBI) in stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients. Among 29 centers, MBI was diagnosed in 0.79% of 1513 allogeneic and 0.23% of 3012 autologous SCT recipients during 1994-1998 a median of 160 days after transplantation. The mean interval between first symptoms and diagnosis was 29 days and was still longer for patients with atypical MBI or recipients of corticosteroid therapy. The prevalence of MBI was highest among those who received matched unrelated or mismatched STCs from related donors. Of 31 patients, 20 had tuberculosis, 8 had atypical MBI, and 3 had diagnoses based on histological findings only. Five patients (16%) died, all of whom had received an allogeneic SCT. Because of the increased numbers of unmatched donors and transplantation programs in countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis, constant vigilance is required to early detect MBI in SCT recipients.

Indices of iron status in patients treated by chronic haemodialysis

Iron deficiency in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) treated by haemodialysis (HD) is difficult to diagnose. The reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and the percentage of hypochromic red cells (%hypo) are sensitive novel assays for the detection of functional iron deficiency in patients treated with erithropoietin (EPO). In our study thirty-nine chronically hemodialyzed patients were evaluated to determine the value of these two parameters in comparison to the conventional biochemical indicators of iron metabolism. There were significant correlations between CHr and transferrin saturation, CHr and weekly dosage of EPO, and also between %hypo and weekly dosage of EPO. Our data represent superior value of %hypo and CHr to the transferrin saturation and ferritin concentration in detecteng of iron deficiency in HD patients.

Serum thrombopoietin levels in acute myeloid leukaemia

To improve our understanding of the regulation of circulating platelet counts (PC) by thrombopoietin (TPO), we studied serum TPO levels and PC before and after myelosuppressive chemotherapy in 12 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Serum TPO levels were measured by the quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Quantikine, RD Systems). At the start of the induction chemotherapy, the patients had a median serum TPO level of 199 pg/ml (range 120-2,150 pg/ml), while 10 to 12 days after the end of chemotherapy, their TPO levels were substantially increased, the median value being 1,907 pg/ml (range 1,049-4,194 pg/ml). The correlation between PC and TPO was statistically significant prior to chemotherapy (p < 0.03) and insignificant after chemotherapy. As a result of chemotherapy, the patients developed aplasia; after the administration of platelet transfusions, their median PC increased to 21 x 10(9)/l (range 5-55 x 10(9)/l), while the median TPO value decreased by 300 pg/ml (range 11-1,125 pg/ml). Our results suggest that platelet mass directly regulates serum TPO levels in acute leukaemia patients prior to chemotherapy and after the administration of platelet transfusions. Serum TPO levels may also be influenced by the cytokine response during complicating infections in patients with chemotherapy-induced cytopenia.

Effects of molgramostim, filgrastim and lenograstim in the treatment of myelokathexis

Myelokathexis is a very rare form of chronic hereditary neutropenia resulting from impaired neutrophil releasing mechanism in the bone marrow. The recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage (molgramostim) and granulocyte (filgrastim, lenograstim) colony stimulating factors release the mature granulocytes from the bone marrow. We describe a 43-year-old woman suffering from myelokathexis, with the absolute neutrophil count ranging between 0.03 and 1.35 x 10(9)/L. In the period before the introduction of cytokines, the patient had more than 80 major infectious episodes. Since 1991, infections in this patient have been treated with cytokines, given in conjunction with antibiotics. Initially, she received molgramostim in a daily dose of 5 microg/kg subcutaneously, which stimulated the release of granulocytes from her bone marrow, thereby allowing successful treatment of infection. After the development of hypersensitivity, molgramostim was substituted with filgrastim. Finally, lenograstim was given a trial. With all three cytokines, the patient's neutrophil count always attained normal values already 4 hours after subcutaneous application of the drug in a dose of 5 microg/kg, the highest neutrophil levels were measured at 24 hours post-injection, and the neutrophil count was again close to the baseline value 72 hours after the treatment. A slight neutropenia was present 48 hours after the application of filgrastim. We believe that all three cytokines are equally effective in increasing the neutrophil count in venous blood of patients with myelokathexis.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis - a late complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Toxoplasma gondii infection reactivation predominantly occurs among patients after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Mostly, reactivation occurs during first 3 months after transplant, especially when risk factors are present. We report a case of late cerebral toxoplasmosis reactivation, which was probably triggered by a brief course of corticosteroids, administered for chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). In the presence of risk factors, such as cGVHD, prophylactic treatment for toxoplasmosis should be reinstituted; Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole most probably prevented earlier reactivation of toxoplasmosis in our patient.

Influence of the cold pressor test on the middle cerebral artery circulation

Cold pressor test (CPT) evokes generalized activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The activity of SNS may be estimated by monitoring the mean blood velocity (v(m)) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by using a transcranial Doppler monitoring system (TCD). To determine the response of SNS, we studied the v(m) during CPT. Thirty-four healthy volunteers, 13 female and 21 male (mean age 34 +/- 9.5 years, range 18 to 55 years) participated in our study. The experiment consisted of a 5-min baseline period followed by a 3-min immersion of the right hand in ice water. Blood velocity in both MCA's was monitored by bitemporal 2 MHz probes by using a Multi-Dop X4. MAP and heart rate (HR) were measured simultaneously by a Finapres non-invasive blood pressure monitor and a computerized ECG system. End-tidal CO2 (Et-CO2) was measured with an infrared capnograph. To determine v(m) over a chosen time interval the TCD-8 software was utilized. The results showed that during CPT v(m), MAP, and HR increased significantly (P < 0.01) for 9.8%, 18.5%, and 3.6%, respectively. Et-CO2 did not change significantly (P > 0.05). The increase of v(m) was also significantly higher in the stimulated hemispheres (P = 0.005) regarding to unstimulated ones. The increase of v(m) during CPT was not gender dependent. To establish the association between variables the models of multivariate regression were used. Multiple regression CPT model was significant (P < 0.01) and fitted data moderately well (R2 = 0.28). MAP and Et-CO2 were significant in the model (P < 0.01). It seems that the reactivity of the SNS can be estimated by measuring v(m) with TCD during CPT.

Allogeneic BMT for acute leukemia and chronic granulocytic leukemia in University Medical Centre Ljubljana-Slovenia

Allogeneic BMT is treatment of choice for acute leukaemias(AL) and chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL). In the period form 1989 till 1997 36 allogeneic BMT have been performed for patients with AML, ALL and CGL using HLA matched related donors in University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The procedure was successful in 80% of patients with CGL and in 50% of patients with AL. The most frequent cause of death in CGL patients was CMV pneumonitis, relapse in patients transplanted for ALL, while in patients transplanted for AML beside relapse we observed four deaths due to complications of BMT ( acute GVHD, VOD, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, liver failure due to hepatitis).

Sequential treatment of deep fungal infections with amphotericin B deoxycholate and amphotericin B colloidal dispersion

Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) is a novel lipid formulation of amphotericin B designed to diminish toxic effects of the drug. In the following report, nine cases of suspected (n = 4) and proven (n = 5) deep Candida infection, treated sequentially with amphotericin B deoxycholate and ABCD, are presented. The treatment was successful in seven cases. During treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate, a rise in serum creatinine was observed in seven patients, hypokalemia in five, and metabolic acidosis in four. After replacing amphotericin B deoxycholate with ABCD, laboratory parameters improved in four of the seven patients with increased creatinine, in four of the five patients with hypokalemia, and in two of the four patients with metabolic acidosis. Infusion-related rigors were observed in four patients receiving amphotericin B deoxycholate and in one patient treated with ABCD. Reversible elevation of liver enzymes was found in one patient receiving ABCD. In this study ABCD proved less toxic than amphotericin B deoxycholate. The efficacy of ABCD alone cannot be assessed because of previous treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate, but sequential treatment of deep Candida infections with amphotericin B deoxycholate and ABCD seems to be an effective therapeutic modality, especially in patients requiring prolonged administration of amphotericin B.