[Beta-thalassemia: clinical manifestations]. / beta-thalassémie--manifestations cliniques.

Monogenic diseases are very unevenly distributed throughout the world and beta-thalassemies are due chiefly to a large number of point mutations of the beta globine gene. The thalassemia trait (heterozygous thalassemia) can be asymptomatic and diagnosis is established by demonstration of an increased proportion of Hb A2. In the homozygous state (thalassemia major) hypochromic anemia is extremely severe because erythropoiesis is largely ineffective. Regular transfusion is necessary to prevent early death and transfusion therapy is usually initiated in the first year of life after biological diagnosis. Iron chelation is now capable of preventing transfusional haemachromatosis responsible for late mortality. 10% only of patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia have a syndrome of intermediate haematologic severity (thalassemia intermedia). Hb S--beta-thalassemia disease is characterised by a clinical course that resembles more that of Sickle Cell disease than to the thalassemia syndromes.

Combination antiretroviral therapy including ritonavir in children infected with human immunodeficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of combination therapy that includes ritonavir in HIV-1 infected children. DESIGN: A monocentric retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two children with a minimum follow-up of 6 months under triple therapy including ritonavir were analysed for treatment efficacy. At entry, all the patients were protease inhibitor naive and all but two had received previous antiretroviral therapy during a median period of 5 years. Their initial median CD4+ lymphocyte count and viral load were 121 x 10(6)/l and 5.08 log10 copies/ml, respectively. Clinical and biological evaluation included clinical assessment every 6 weeks and determination of CD4 cell count and HIV-RNA concentration every 3 months. RESULTS: Median length of follow-up on triple therapy was 15 months (range: 7-21 months). Neither progression in the CDC classification nor death occurred. No significant change in mean weight SD scores was noted when baseline values were compared with values obtained after 1 year of triple therapy. Median CD4 count increases were of 210 x 10(6)/l, 415 x 10(6)/l, and 472 x 10(6)/l cells at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. Among the patients baseline characteristics, neither age nor initial CD4 cells count influenced the magnitude of immunologic improvement. There were median decreases of 1.14, 0.95, and 1.5 log10 per ml of plasma in the concentration of viral RNA at 6, 12, and 18 months respectively. Seven patients maintained an undetectable viral load when under treatment. The introduction of at least one new reverse transcriptase inhibitor at the initiation of triple therapy correlated significantly with a greater viral suppression. CONCLUSION: Despite variable viral response, antiretroviral-experienced HIV-infected children demonstrated a substantial CD4 cell increase during a median period of 15 months of ritonavir containing combination therapy.

Pediatric visceral leishmaniasis in southern France.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to describe the characteristics of pediatric visceral leishmaniasis in southern France and to evaluate a new scheme of therapy. METHODS: Hospital records of 59 children with visceral leishmaniasis were retrospectively reviewed. The period of the study was from 1981 to 1997. RESULTS: All children but one lived or had previously dwelled in the south of France. None was coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus or known to be immunocompromised. The mean age was 31 months; 10 children were younger than 1 year when admitted to the hospital. The male:female ratio was 0.73. Fever and splenomegaly were present in 90 and 100%, respectively. Anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were commonly observed, especially in the youngest patients. Hypergammaglobulinemia was noted in 64%. A biopsy sample of the bone marrow was always performed, but direct microscopic examination failed to identify Leishmania in 13 (22%) cases. In these patients specific serology and genomic amplification with polymerase chain reaction were useful tools for the diagnosis. All patients were initially treated with meglumine antimonate (Glucantime). Twenty-six (44%) patients receiving the drug experienced at least one adverse event during treatment. Treatment failure occurred in six children (10%), who were subsequently cured with liposomal amphotericin B. Three additional children were treated with liposomal amphotericin B. All the children were finally cured and no death was observed. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that liposomal amphotericin B is effective therapy for visceral leishmaniasis in children.

Priapism following splenectomy in an unstable hemoglobin: hemoglobin Olmsted beta 141 (H19) Leu-->Arg.

We report a case of severe priapism occurring in a patient with an unstable hemoglobin, Hb Olmsted (beta 141 Leu-->Arg) This is a rare hemoglobin variant, which until now has been reported only once. The clinical course of the 12-year-old boy was characterized by severe hemolytic anemia leading to splenectomy and cholecystectomy at the of 3.5 years. The priapism occurred 8 years after splenectomy, during a hemolytic febrile episode and required aspiration of the corpora cavernosa. This report raises the question of the benefit of splenectomy in patients suffering from a chronic hemolytic anemia such as that due to an unstable hemoglobin. This treatment lowers the frequency and the severity of acute hemolytic attacks, but several cases of vascular complications have been reported after splenectomy.

Persistent hepatitis C virus RNA replication in haemophiliacs: role of co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus.

In order to evaluate the evolution of transfusional hepatitis C in haemophiliacs, we performed a retrospective study of ALT levels and HCV viraemia with a RNA PCR assay in 57 patients. We found that the vast majority of HCV-infected patients remained viraemic (43/57 = 75%) and higher ALT levels correlated with HCV viraemia. Although indicators of the transfusional viral load (age, severity of haemophilia) and HBV co-infection did not correlate with HCV RNA replication, HIV seropositivity was strongly associated with persistence of HCV viraemia (23/25 = 92% in HIV-positive versus 20/32 = 62% in HIV-negative patients), without any correlation with CD4 counts. Genotyping of HCV in the 43 viraemic patients shows more frequent genotype 1 in the HIV-seropositive group (14/23) than in the seronegative group (6/20). Our data emphasize that besides the role of the immunodeficiency status, the genotypes of HCV might be involved in the differences observed in terms of HCV RNA replication between the HIV-seropositive and seronegative haemophiliacs.

Lung toxoplasmosis after HLA mismatched bone marrow transplantation.

We report a clinically isolated toxoplasma pneumonitis in a child treated by HLA haplo-mismatched BMT. Conditioning consisted of TBI, cytarabine and melphalan. The BM graft was T-depleted and the boy received iv moAb antiLFA1 and antiCD2. The clinical course of pneumonitis was characterised by an early onset (day 28) and a rapidly overwhelming course. Donor and recipient had pre-graft IgG Ab against toxoplasma without IgM. These Abs had completely disappeared from the serum of the patient at the time of pneumonitis. PCR amplification detected the B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii in the patient's PBMC from day 28.

Dose of desferrioxamine and evolution of HIV-1 infection in thalassaemic patients.

To study the relationship between the dose of desferrioxamine (DFX) and the progression of the HIV-1 disease in thalassaemia major patients (TMP), 64 seropositive TMP patients were studied. Cumulative incidence of CDC stage IV was calculated using a non-parametric life-table method. The association with the mean daily dose of DFX was tested with a Cox proportional hazards model which was also used to adjust for confounding variables. The median of the mean daily dose of DFX over the seropositive period was 40 mg/kg (range 0-65 mg/kg). Age at seroconversion (P < 0.02) and splenectomy (P < 0.03) were found to be associated with the mean daily dose of DFX. 6.5 years after seroconversion, 11% of those who had been prescribed more than 40 mg/kg of DFX daily had entered stage IV versus 35% of those who had been prescribed a lower dose (P < 0.01). When the dose was taken as a continuous variable it was found that the rate of progression was significantly smaller in TMP receiving a higher dose (P < 0.002), even after adjusting for age and splenectomy (P < 0.02). Although it should be noted that these results were obtained in an observational study, possibly biased by a non-random allocation of the DFX dose, we believe that they are striking enough to support the claim that the role of DFX in the progression of HIV disease should be further evaluated.

[Acquired zinc deficiency in a breast-fed premature infant]. / Carence acquise en zinc chez un nourrisson prématuré nourri au sein.

Acquired zinc deficiency in exclusively breast-fed premature babies is a recently described entity which surprisingly, has not been reported more frequently. Its pathogenesis would appear to be the result of various factors, prematurity, exclusive breast-feeding and a suspected maternal defect, acquired or inherited, for the transfer of zinc from the blood to the breast milk. We report the case of a girl who was born at 31 weeks, exclusively breast-fed for 28 weeks and who presented a characteristic clinical feature of zinc deficiency. The mother's zinc level in the breast-milk was abnormally low. After zinc therapy and progressive weaning, the lesions dramatically improved in few days. There was no recurrence of the lesions one year after the treatment was completely stopped. With regard to this characteristic case, we outline the many pathophysiological mechanisms involved in acquired zinc deficiency. Recognition of this clinical feature by dermatologists seems essential because the required treatment is spectacularly effective and definitive. Finally, we also examine possible forms with few symptoms and we wonder if serum zinc levels should be checked in at-risk babies.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome in childhood: trisomy 8 and transformation to mixed acute leukaemia.

We report a pediatric case of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) with trisomy 8 and terminal blastic transformation to mixed acute leukaemia. Literature cases are reviewed, with emphasis on prognostic factors to differentiating "benign" from malignant HES.

Interdigitating cells sarcoma: occurrence during incomplete remission of a lymphoblastic lymphoma.

The authors report the successive occurrence of an interdigitating-cell sarcoma and a lymphoblastic lymphoma in an 8-year old child. The observation is documented by immunophenotype and genotype. The link between the two malignancies is discussed.

Childhood cancer incidence in the south-east of France. A report of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Corsica Regions Pediatric Cancer Registry, 1984-1991.

A prospective registration of incident cancers in childhood in two south-east regions of France since 1 January 1984 allows us to collect pertinent data on 875 cases throughout a period of 8 years. World age-standardised overall incidence rate is 137.63 cases/million/year. It is close to that reported in other white European. North American and Oceanian populations. The age-adjusted (age-standardised) relative frequency of each pathological group is: leukaemias 29.71%; central nervous system tumours 20.61%; lymphomas 12.75%; sympathetic tumours 9.03%; soft tissues tumours 7.37%; bone tumours 5.89%; kidney tumours 4.82%; epithelial tumours 3.83%; germinal and gonadal tumours 3.24%; retinoblastomas 2.11%; liver tumours 0.45% and others 0.14%. The comparison of these results with international available data shows that we record the world highest adjusted incidence rates for neuroblastomas (15.46) and rhabdomyosarcomas (7.04) and a high rate for Ewing's sarcomas (3.30); this fact will need to be confirmed by a longer period of observation, but even now the total number of cases (particularly for neuroblastoma) is high when compared with the data of other children registries which give rates for longer periods and for similar or larger populations.

Prevalence of markers for human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2, human T-lymphotropic virus type I, cytomegalovirus, and hepatitis B and C virus in multiply transfused thalassemia patients. The French Study Group On Thalassaemia.

The prevalence of markers for human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2), human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) was evaluated in a population of 305 multiply transfused thalassemia patients in Belgium, France, and Italy (Sicily). No patients were found positive for HIV-2 antibodies. Two French patients were seropositive for HIV-1, having been infected before systematic blood screening. Antibodies to HTLV-I were found in two Sicilian patients. A positive anti-HCV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found in one-third of the patients and a positive CMV IgG test in two-thirds. Twenty-two percent of the patients in the three countries were uninfected by HBV and were not vaccinated. With the exception of HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-I, and anti-hepatitis B surface antigen assays, all markers were encountered more frequently in Sicilian patients than in French or Belgian patients. This study emphasizes the need to improve HBV vaccination coverage in the three countries. At present, data indicate that the introduction of routine screening for HTLV-I should be considered, particularly in Sicily.

[Clinical development of beta-thalassemia-sickle cell anemia apropos of 36 cases]. / Evolution clinique de la beta-thalasso-drépanocytose: à propos de 36 observations.

Hematological and clinical features of 36 mainly Algerian patients with S-beta thalassemia are reported. These data, compared with those reported in the literature, showed a higher prevalence of aseptic necrosis and gall stones, probably related to the large predominance of S-beta zero-thalassemia (30 cases) and a long (14 years) median follow-up period.

[HIV infection in the child after materno-fetal transmission: early treatment with azidothymidine and prevention of secondary infectious complications]. / Infection par le VIH de l'enfant après contamination materno-foetale: prise en charge précoce par un traitement associant azidothymidine et prévention des complications infectieuses secondaires.

Twenty-four perinatally HIV infected children received early treatment as soon as the diagnosis of viral contamination was established. In 13 cases (group 1), this diagnosis was based on a viremia and/or antigenemia during the first 6 months of life. In 11 cases (group 2), children were more than 15 months-old and had a positive HIV antibody test. Therapy included azidothymidine (AZT, 400 mg/m2/d) and the prevention of secondary infectious complications with intravenous immunoglobulin and cotrimoxazole. With a median follow-up of 26 months, we reported no case of severe secondary infection and no case of encephalopathy. Hematological side effects of AZT were rarely observed. Only one patient developed anemia. In all other cases, the only hematological abnormality was macrocytosis of red blood cells. Before treatment, the mean value of T4 cells age-adjusted count was 96, 86 and 91%, respectively, for groups 1, 2 and the entire study group. At the time of analysis, these values were 64, 62 and 63% respectively. This decrease was statistically significant for group 1 and for the entire study group, but did not reach statistical significance for group 2. These data show that AZT is probably insufficient as a long-term therapy for HIV infected children. Other therapeutic approaches need to be developed in the future, notably the combination of anti-retroviral drugs.

[The value of nuclear magnetic resonance in the study of iron overload in thalassemia patients]. / Intérêt de la résonance magnétique nucléaire dans l'étude de la surcharge martiale chez les sujets thalassémiques.

In patients with thalassemia treated by long-term chronic blood transfusions who survive beyond the first ten or twenty years of life but received no or inadequate chelating therapy during the first years, evaluation of iron overload and its consequences on tissues may prove an arduous task. MRI is a non-invasive means of measuring the amount of iron in the liver and the consequences of the iron overload on the heart and other tissues. For this purpose, MRI is more satisfactory than CT scan studies. In this investigation, 20 patients with thalassemia major underwent MRI. Multiple spin echos were used to allow determination of the transversal relaxation constant T2. This constant, expressed in ms, is related to the concentration of iron in the liver as in the following expression: (C) = 5 410/T2-110. MRI studies disclosed a discrepancy between the severity of hepatic hemosiderosis and development of decompensated iron overload cardiomyopathy. In a unique case, in which a heart transplant and two MRI studies were performed, the severe iron overload that failed to respond to several years of subcutaneous chelating therapy was more than halved by intensive intravenous chelation through a central catheter. MRI studies of the heart provide valuable morphologic and functional data. Although the amount of iron in the myocardium cannot as yet be quantified, modifications of the transversal relaxation time provide information on the severity of the overload and the presence of other myocardial alterations.

Myelofibrosis in a child suffering from a hypereosinophilic syndrome with trisomy 8: response to corticotherapy.

The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHS) is extremely rare in childhood and relationships of this syndrome with myeloproliferative diseases are controversial. We reported the observation of a 7-year-old girl suffering from an IHS with myelofibrosis. A clonal cytogenetic abnormality, trisomy 8, was detected in the bone marrow cells of this child. This is the decisive proof of a myeloproliferative disorder. IHS with myelofibrosis is usually considered as unresponsive to corticotherapy. In our case, corticotherapy resulted in a rapid, complete, and lasting disappearance of myelofibrosis. Complete remission of the disease, however, was not achieved and the trisomy 8 persisted after treatment.