Herpes Zoster in Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients in the Era of Acyclovir or Valacyclovir Prophylaxis and Novel Treatment and Maintenance Therapies

The epidemiology of herpes zoster (HZ) in contemporary autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, and the impact of acyclovir (ACV)/valacyclovir (VACV) prophylaxis, is not well described. In this observational study from 2002 to 2010, we retrospectively identified 1000 varicella zoster virus (VZV)-seropositive autologous HCT recipients with up to 5 years of follow-up. The incidence of HZ and use of ACV/VACV prophylaxis were determined through review of medical records and mailed questionnaires. Risk factors for HZ were determined by multivariable Cox regression. Over a period of 5 years after autologous HCT, 194 patients developed at least 1 HZ episode, with a cumulative incidence of 21%; 159 of 194 (82%) were not on prophylaxis at the time of HZ. A second episode of HZ occurred in 31 of 194 (16%) patients. Patients taking ACV/VACV had reduced risk for HZ (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], .59; 95% confidence interval [CI], .37 to .91), whereas those older than the median age (≥55.5 years) had increased risk (aHR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.9). Disseminated VZV was reported in 8% and postherpetic neuralgia in 13% of patients. We demonstrate a high burden of HZ late after autologous HCT, despite long-term antiviral prophylaxis. Improved prevention strategies are needed to provide sustained protection against HZ after autologous HCT.

Incidence and outcomes of bloodstream infections among hematopoietic cell transplant recipients from species commonly reported to be in over-the-counter probiotic formulations

BACKGROUND

Probiotic supplementation has been promoted for numerous health conditions; however, safety in immunosuppressed patients is unknown. We evaluated bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by common probiotic organisms in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

METHODS

All blood culture (BC) results from a cohort of hematopoietic cell transplant recipients transplanted at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, between 2002 and 2011 were reviewed. Patients with at least 1 positive BC for common probiotic organisms (Lactobacillus species, Bifidobacterium species, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Saccharomyces species) within 1 year post hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) were considered cases. Data were collected from center databases, which contain archived laboratory data, patient demographics, and clinical summaries.

RESULTS

A total of 19/3796 (0.5%) patients developed a BSI from one of these organisms within 1 year post HCT; no Bifidobacterium species or S. thermophilus were identified. Cases had a median age of 49 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 39-53), and the majority were allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients (14/19, 74%). Most positive BCs were Lactobacillus species (18/19) and occurred at a median of 84 days (IQR: 34-127) post transplant. The incidence rate of Lactobacillus bacteremia was 1.62 cases per 100,000 patient-days; the highest rate occurred within 100 days post transplant (3.3 per 100,000 patient-days). Eight patients (44%) were diagnosed with acute graft-versus-host disease of the gut prior to the development of bacteremia. No mortality was attributable to any of these infections.

CONCLUSION

Organisms frequently incorporated in available over-the-counter probiotics are infrequent causes of bacteremia after HCT. Studies evaluating the use of probiotics among high-risk patients are needed.

Addressing fear, fighting complacency

Nature has us wired instinctively to be cautious of things that are unknown or unfamiliar. Children may fear the dark, but even as adults we remain afraid of things that go bump in the night.

Independent contribution of bronchoalveolar lavage and serum galactomannan in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

The optimal combination of galactomannan index (GMI) testing for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains unclear. For diagnostic approaches that are triggered by clinical signs and symptoms in high-risk patients, institutional variation remains, with some centers routinely relying on only serum GMI or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) GMI testing. In addition, use of mold-active agents before diagnosis of IPA is becoming increasingly common, and understanding the effect of these drugs on test yield is important when making time-critical treatment decisions. In a single-center cohort of 210 allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, we found that serum and BAL GMI testing contributed independently to IPA diagnosis, supporting the practice of sending both tests simultaneously to ensure a timely diagnosis of IPA. BAL GMI sensitivity was not affected by receipt of mold-active therapy in our cohort.

Herpes zoster incidence in a multicenter cohort of solid organ transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressed patients are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ), but incidence in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients has varied in multiple studies. To assess incidence of HZ, we examined patients who underwent SOT and received follow-up care within the large multicenter US Department of Veteran's Affairs healthcare system.

METHODS

Incident cases of HZ were determined using ICD-9 coding from administrative databases. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for a priori risk factors, was used to assess demographic factors associated with development of HZ.

RESULTS

Among the 1077 eligible SOT recipients, the cohort-specific incidence rate of HZ was 22.2 per 1000 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.1-27.4). African Americans (37.6 per 1000 [95% CI, 25.0-56.6]) and heart transplants recipients (40.0 per 1000 [95% CI, 23.2-68.9]) had the highest incidence of HZ. Patients transplanted between 2005 and 2007 had the lowest incidence (15.3 per 1000 [95% CI, 8.2-28.3]). In a multivariable model, African Americans (hazard ratio [HR] 1.88; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.17) and older transplant recipients (HR 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.27 [per 5-year increment]) had increased relative hazards of HZ.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that HZ is a common infectious complication following SOT. Future studies focused on HZ prevention are needed in this high-risk population.

Early emergence of an H275Y mutation in a hematopoietic cell transplant recipient treated with intravenous peramivir

Oseltamivir resistance in pandemic 2009 influenza A/H1N1 is caused by the neuraminidase mutation H275Y. This mutation has also been associated with in vitro resistance to peramivir, but few clinical cases have been described to date. Using allele-specific real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for the H275Y mutation, we were able to identify resistant H1N1 in a hematopoietic cell transplant recipient receiving intravenous peramivir therapy, and through serial testing we determined the molecular evolution of resistance. This case demonstrates that an H275Y mutant population can emerge early and replicate in vivo under peramivir antiviral pressure to become the major viral population.