RESUMEN
Adverse outcomes of viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) have been reported in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Using a laboratory-developed multiparameter PCR in a consecutive series of 242 patients, we found the highest incidence of viral RTI in the pre-engraftment phase. The occurrence of multiple episodes of viral RTI or viral pneumonia was significantly associated with a higher hazard of non-relapse mortality in the first year after transplantation. We observed a 90-day mortality of 19.7% after viral RTI, which was significantly different between patient groups stratified according to the ISI score.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of infectious diarrhea after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay and assess risk factors for developing infectious diarrhea. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study of 140 consecutive allogeneic HCT recipients. Infectious diarrhea was assessed using a laboratory-developed multiplex polymerase chain reaction the first year after transplantation. RESULTS: The incidence rate of infectious diarrhea episodes was 47 per 100 person-years, with the highest rate observed in the pre-engraftment phase. Most episodes were seen as nosocomial infections (38%) and most affected patients (82%) had only one episode of infectious diarrhea. The cumulative incidence of at least one episode of infectious diarrhea was 32% after 1 year. Nonrelapse mortality was higher in transplant recipients with at least one episode of infectious diarrhea (hazard ratio (HR) 2.02, 95% CI = 1.07-3.80). The most frequently observed pathogens were Clostridium difficile, adenovirus, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni. Patients with acute lower gastrointestinal graft-vs-host disease stage 3 or 4 (HR 3.68, 95% CI = 1.57-8.63) conferred a higher risk for a first infectious diarrhea episode. CONCLUSION: Infectious diarrhea after allogeneic HCT was seen in about one-third of the patients, mostly as nosocomial infection in the pre-engraftment phase.