Clinical, Immunological, and Molecular Profile of Chronic Granulomatous Disease: A Multi-Centric Study of 236 Patients From India.

Background: Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited defect in phagocytic respiratory burst that results in severe and life-threatening infections in affected children. Single center studies from India have shown that proportion of autosomal recessive (AR) CGD is more than that reported from the West. Further, affected patients have high mortality rates due to late referrals and difficulties in accessing appropriate treatment. However, there is lack of multicentric collaborative data on CGD from India. Objective: To describe infection patterns, immunological, and molecular features of CGD from multiple centers in India. Methods: A detailed proforma that included clinical and laboratory details was prepared and sent to multiple centers in India that are involved in the care and management of patients with inborn errors of immunity. Twelve centers have provided data which were later pooled together and analyzed. Results: Of the 236 patients analyzed in our study, X-linked and AR-CGD was seen in 77 and 97, respectively. Male female ratio was 172:64. Median age at onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 8 and 24 months, respectively. Common infections documented include pneumonia (71.6%), lymphadenitis (31.6%), skin and subcutaneous abscess (23.7%), blood-stream infection (13.6%), osteomyelitis (8.6%), liver abscess (7.2%), lung abscess (2.9%), meningoencephalitis (2.5%), splenic abscess (1.7%), and brain abscess (0.9%). Forty-four patients (18.6%) had evidence of mycobacterial infection. Results of molecular assay were available for 141 patients (59.7%)-CYBB (44.7%) gene defect was most common, followed by NCF1 (31.9%), NCF2 (14.9%), and CYBA (8.5%). While CYBA variants were documented only in Southern and Western parts of India, a common dinucleotide deletion in NCF2 (c.835_836delAC) was noted only in North Indian population. Of the 174 patients with available outcome data, 67 (38.5%) had expired. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was carried out in 23 patients, and 12 are doing well on follow-up. Conclusions: In India, proportion of patients with AR-CGD is higher as compared to Western cohorts, though regional differences in types of AR-CGD exist. Clinical profile and mortality rates are similar in both X-linked and AR-CGD. However, this may be a reflection of the fact that milder forms of AR-CGD are probably being missed.

Metachronous solitary plasmacytoma.

Solitary plasmacytoma is a rare disorder comprising 5%-10% of all plasma cell neoplasms. Progression to multiple myeloma is the most common pattern of relapse. Appearance of new lesions without any systemic disease is the most unusual pattern of relapse seen in <2% cases. We present a case of a 46-year-old female who presented with features of third and seventh cranial nerve palsy, diagnosed with solitary plasmacytoma, with no evidence of any systemic disease. As per standard recommendations, the patient received radiotherapy to the local site. The patient developed relapse twice, at three sites, during the follow-up period. Investigations revealed no evidence of any systemic disease. In view of repeat relapses, the patient was started on immune modulatory agent. Two and half years after the last radiotherapy, the patient is symptom free with no evidence of any new lesion.

Therapeutic leukapheresis in a tertiary care hospital: A case series.

Patients presenting with hyperleukocytosis secondary to acute leukemia, with total leukocyte count or blast count more than 100,000/µL are often considered for leukapheresis, especially if clinical signs of leukostasis are present. Leukostasis is often associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with leukemic processes. The main goal of management of hyperleukocytosis and/or leukostasis is to reduce the blast count before initiation of chemotherapy. Leukapheresis is often used prophylactically to prevent leukostasis or to provide symptomatic relief. We, as transfusion medicine specialists, present our experience of doing therapeutic leukapheresis in patients presenting with hyperleukocytosis with or without presenting features of leukostasis.

Two Cases of NK/T Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

T/NK cell lymphoma is a rare subtype of lymphoma that is known to be of aggressive nature. We present two cases of this disease that originally presented with symptoms consistent with chronic rhinosinusitis. We outline how we managed the diseases and review literature on it.