Validation of MASCC Score for Risk Stratification in Patients of Hematological Disorders with Febrile Neutropenia.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of MASCC score (Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer Score) in patients with febrile neutropenia (as resultant treatment of hematological disorders) for risk assessment of morbidity and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting with Febrile Neutropenia from November 2011 till December 2013 were enrolled in the study. Initially all patients were hospitalized and their MASCC score was calculated, however those with high risk stayed in hospital till full ANC recovery while low risk group was discharged earlier and keenly followed as out-patient while being on prophylactic oral antibiotics. The MASCC risk-index score was calculated and patients with risk score >21 were regarded as low-risk while <21 were labeled as high-risk. RESULTS: On the basis of 226 febrile neutropenia patient 132(58.4 %) were categorized as low risk while 94(41.5 %) as high risk patients according to MASCC risk index score. In low risk group 123(93 %) had uncomplicated infection while 9(7 %) had complicated infections. There was no mortality documented in low risk group while eight patients died in high risk group. CONCLUSION: In this study we correctly predicted outcome of 123(93 %) low risk group patients. The study had positive predictive value of 93 % with both sensitivity and specificity of 65 and 75 % respectively. The MASCC risk score is a valuable tool in determining the outcome in patients with febrile neutropenia.

Clinical and Microbiological Profile of Pathogens in Febrile Neutropenia in Hematological Malignancies: A Single Center Prospective Analysis.

Background. Febrile neutropenia is the consequence of treatment of hematological disorders. The first-line empirical treatment should cover the prevalent microorganism of the institute. The aim of study was to establish the effectiveness of current practices used at the institution and to review the culture sensitivity pattern of isolated microorganisms. Patients and Methods. Data was recorded and analyzed prospectively for 226 hospitalized patients of febrile neutropenia from January 2011 till December 2013. Results. Out of 226 cases, 173 were males and 53 were females. Clinically documented infections were 104 (46.01%) and microbiologically documented infections were 80 (35.39%), while 42 (18.58%) had pyrexia of undetermined origin. Gram negative infections accounted for 68 (85%) and Escherichia coli was the commonest isolate. Gram positive microorganisms were isolated in 12 (15%) cases and most common was Staphylococcus aureus. First-line empirical treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam and amikacin showed response in 184 patients (85.9%) till 72 hours. Conclusion. There is marked decline in infections due to Gram positive microorganisms; however, Gram negative infections are still of great concern and need further surveillance. In this study the antibiogram has shown its sensitivity for empirical antibiotic therapy used; hence, it supports continuation of the same practice.

Special issues related to hematopoietic SCT in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the first regional activity report.

Although several centers are now performing allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) in the Eastern Mediterranean (EM) region, the availability is still limited. Special issues including compatible donor availability and potential for alternative donor programs are discussed. In comparison to Europe and North America, differences in patterns of diseases and pre-HSCT general status, particularly for patients with BM failure, are described. Other differences including high sero-positivity for CMV, hepatitis B and C infection, and specific observations about GVHD and its relation to genetically homogeneous communities are also discussed. We report that a total of 17 HSCT programs (performing five or more HSCTs annually) exist in 9 countries of the EM region. Only six programs are currently reporting to European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation or Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research. A total of 7617 HSCTs have been performed by these programs including 5701 allogeneic HSCTs. The area has low-HSCT team density (1.56 teams per 10 million inhabitants vs 14.43 in Europe) and very low-HSCT team distribution (0.27 teams per 10 000 sq km area vs <1-6 teams in Europe). Gross national income per capita had no clear association with low-HSCT activity. Much improvement in infrastructure and formation of an EM regional HSCT registry are needed.

Febrile neutropenia in paediatric peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, in -vitro sensitivity data and clinical response to empirical antibiotic therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To find the in-vitro sensitivity data and clinical response in order to determine the changes required in empiric antibiotic therapy for management of febrile neutropenia in paediatric patients undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Paediatric bone marrow transplant unit at Bismillah Taqee Institute of Health Sciences and Blood Disease Center from September 1999 to May 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients were treated according to institutional protocol for febrile neutropenia. Empirical antibiotics include Ceftriaxone and Amikacin. In non-responders, changes made included Imipenem and Amikacin, Piperacillin Tazobactum/Tiecoplanin or Vancomycin/Cloxacilin/Ceftazidime. In non-responders, amphotaracin was added until recovery. RESULTS: Out of 52 patients, 5 did not develop any fever; in the remaining 47 patients there were 57 episodes of febrile neutropenia. The mean days of febrile episodes were 4.71 (range 3-8). Fever of unknown origin (FUO) occurred in 31 (54.3%) episodes. Microbiologically documented infection (MDI) occurred in 17 (29.8%) episodes of fever. Clinically documented infection (CDI) occurred in 9 (15.7%) episodes. Gram-negative organisms were isolated in 10 while gram-positive organisms in 7. Klebseilla, S. aureus were the most common isolates. Empirical therapy was effective in 12 of the 33 (36%) episodes. Out of 28, 26 (92%) responded to Imipenem/Amikacin as second line therapy while those who received any other second line combination, only 11 out of 22 (50%) showed response. Systemic Amphotericin was used in 4 patients, 2 responded. Infection related mortality rate was 4%. CONCLUSION: Gram-negative infections predominated, Imipenem/ Amikacin found to be most effective therapy while a low mortality rate is recorded in our setting suggesting good infection control.

In-vivo purging with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab along with standard allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for relapsed childhood pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

This case report describes the use of Rituximab for in vivo purging (by intravenous infusion) in a 12 years old boy with second remission of pre-B ALL. It was followed by conditioning therapy consisted of Busulphan and Cyclophosphamide. rh-G-CSF primed stem cells from an HLA identical sibling donor were infused. Standard graft versus host disease prophylaxis was given. He engrafted within two weeks. He did not develop acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) but localized chronic GvHD developed. He had been on regular follow-up at CMH, Rawalpindi and is in complete remission 13 months post-PBSCT with no evidence of chronic GvHD at present.

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with haematological malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To report the initial data on allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for haematological malignancies in Pakistan. DESIGN: A single centre descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bismillah Taqee Institute of Health Sciences and Blood Diseases Centre from September 1999 to June 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with haematological malignancies were included who had received allogeneic PBSC transplantation of Filgrastim (rhG-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from HLA-identical siblings (except one 5/6 antigen sibling) with Busulphan and Cyclophosphamide standard conditioning therapy in all patients. No patient received antibiotics for gut decontamination. Empirical antibiotics included Ceftriaxone and Amikacin for febrile neutropenia, oral Itraconazole for antifungal prophylaxis while oral acyclovir was used for antiviral prophylaxis. All donors and recipients were CMV IgG positive Cyclosporin A / Methotrexate were given for graft versus host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis. Stem cells were harvested using Haemonetics MCS+ cell separator. All patients received G-CSF starting from day +4 until their neutrophil count rose to normal. RESULTS: There were 21 patients with age range of 8-38 years and male to female ratio of 2:1. Engraftment was achieved in all patients; median time to absolute neutrophil count of > 0.5 x 10(9)/l was 10 days (range 8 - 12 days) and platelet count of > 20 x 10(9)/l was 14 days (12-17 days). Acute graft versus host disease ( aGvHD) was seen in 7 patients; one patient had grade IV skin and hepatic GvHD; another patient had grade III gut GvHD, grade II GvHD was seen in 3 patients while grade I skin aGvHD was seen in 2 patients. Median hospital stay was 34 days. Treatment related mortality was seen in 3 patients (18%). Chronic GvHD was seen in 5 patients. Four more patients died during the follow-up period. Malaria was seen in 2 while tuberculosis developed in one case. Relapse was seen in 2 patients. The estimated probability of survival at one hundred day, at one year and five years was 82, 47 and 40 percent respectively. CONCLUSION: Haematopoietic stem cell transplant programme can be developed in a developed country setting. Post transplant complications are similar to what have been reported in the developed countries. In endemic areas malaria could prove to be fatal if not recognised and treated early.

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for aplastic anaemia: a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of stem cell transplantation in local setting. SETTING: A tertiary care haematology centre. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single centre retrospective analysis of the outcome of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for severe aplastic anaemia. OBJECTIVES: Preliminary data on stem cell transplantation in Pakistan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Aplastic anaemia is an uncommon disorder with a high mortality without treatment. Immunosuppression and bone marrow transplantation remains the mainstay of treatment. Stem cell transplantation facility became available in Pakistan in 1999, since then both allogeneic and autologous procedures are carried out for severe aplastic anaemia, b-thalassaemia major and haematological malignancies. Between April 2000 and July 2002, 20 allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplants were carried out for aplastic anaemia from HLA identical siblings. Donors were primed with G-CSF 10 mcg/kg/day subcutaneously for 4 days; stem cells were harvested on 5th day using Haemonetics MCS+ cell separator. Cyclophosphamide was used for conditioning; cyclosporin A and methotrexate were given for graft versus host disease prophylaxis. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 22 patients survived transplant in a follow up period of 788 days. The causes of death were intra-cranial haemorrhage on day +7, herpes encephalitis on day +180, graft failure and mucour mycosis on day +353 and TB meningitis on day +544. Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation resulted in 81% event free survival in our hands. CONCLUSION: Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is feasible and life saving in an otherwise fatal disorder. This could be carried out effectively in Pakistan.

Predictive value of MCV/RBC count ratio to discriminate between iron deficiency anaemia and beta thalassaemia trait.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Two forms of hypochromic microcytic anaemia i.e. iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait are common in our society. This study reports the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait and predictive value of MCV/RBC count ratio to discriminate between two. METHODS: Venous blood was taken from 299 students of Karachi Medical & Dental College and Ziauddin Medical University in Na2 EDTA and analyzed by semi-automated Sysmex K-1000 haematology analyzer. MCV/RBC count ratio was used to discriminate between iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait and > 14% was marked as iron deficiency. Hb electrophoresis was used as gold standard test for confirmation. Serum iron and TIBC was performed to confirm iron deficiency anaemia. RESULTS: Iron deficiency was found in 9% while beta-thalassaemia was seen in 3% students. MCV/RBC count ratio showed a positive predictive value of 91%. CONCLUSIONS: In areas where iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait are common, MCV/RBC count ratio can be used to screen out beta-thalassaemia trait.