Sexually transmitted infections in the context of haematological malignancies.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a difficult health challenge for immunocompromised patients. Patients treated for several haematological malignancies have further compromised immune systems. Furthermore, many chemotherapies, alone or associated with haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, make the body's natural barriers extremely fragile. STIs can negatively impact both patient morbidity and mortality. In this Series paper, we discuss Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus, human papilloma virus, and hepatitis B virus, as we found them to be associated with increased risks for haematological malignancy treatments, either by incidence or by severity. Protective measures and vaccines for patients with haematological malignancies are also discussed. Large, well conducted studies should be encouraged, with the aim to systematically analyse the impacts of STIs in patients with haematological malignancies, especially given the difficulties that antimicrobial resistance can confer to patient management.

Acute osteomyelitis, thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolism: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Septic pulmonary embolism (SPE), deep vein thrombophlebitis (DVT), and acute osteomyelitis (AOM) form a triad that is rarely seen in children and is usually associated with a history of trauma on long bones. Unfortunately, a delay in diagnosis is frequently observed in this syndrome, which places the patient at risk of life-threatening complications. This delay can largely be attributed to the failure to consider osteomyelitis as a potential underlying cause of DVT. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, we present the case of a 16-year-old Arabian male who presented with limb trauma and fever. The patient had a delayed diagnosis of osteomyelitis, which resulted in the formation of an abscess and subsequent joint destruction. Surgical drainage and joint replacement surgery were deemed necessary for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: persistent fever along with a history of trauma on a long bone with signs of DVT of the limb in a child should raise concern for osteomyelitis and an MRI evaluation of the limb should be obtained.

The Impact of Modifying Empirical Antibiotic Therapy Based on Intestinal Colonization Status on Clinical Outcomes of Febrile Neutropenic Patients.

BACKGROUND: This paper aimed to inspect factors affecting febrile neutropenia patients with hematologic malignancies. The intestinal colonization rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) was assessed. The rate of subsequent ESBL-E and CRE bacteremia correlated with corresponding bacterial colonization was evaluated. Further, the risk factors for ESBL-E and CRE intestinal colonization were examined. Finally, the impact of rectal swab screening combined with adapted empirical antibiotic therapy on the mortality rate of patients with febrile neutropenia was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Febrile neutropenia patients underwent rectal swabs and collection of blood culture specimens upon admission. Empirical treatment was subsequently modified according to rectal swab results if necessary. Bacteremia patients were treated according to blood culture results. Explorative forward-stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for ESBL-E and CRE fecal carriage and mortality. RESULTS: In total, 201 rectal swabs and 402 blood samples were collected from 163 patients during 201 febrile neutropenia episodes. Of these episodes, 38 (18.90%) were colonized with ESBL-E and 30 (14.92%) with CRE. Bloodstream infections developed in 29/201 (14.42%) episodes. Only bacteremia episodes caused by Gram-negative bacilli were included in our analysis. The development of Gram-negative-rod bacteremia was observed in eight out of 38 (21.05%) ESBL-E colonized episodes and four out of 30 (13.33%) CRE-colonized episodes. A BSI developed in three out of 38 (7.89%) ESBL-E colonized episodes, and two out of 30 (6.66%) CRE-colonized episodes developed BSI with the respective organism. Multivariate analysis identified previous quinolone use as the only independent risk factor for fecal colonization of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E and CRE) (odds ratio, 17.09; 95% confidence interval, 5.29 - 55.18; P <0.0001). No significant association was observed between ESBL-E and CRE carriage and increased risk of developing subsequent bacteremia. No significant differences were detected between groups receiving modified and non-modified treatments in duration of hospitalization or antibiotic therapy (univariate analysis) and 28-day mortality rate (logistic regression). CONCLUSION: Quinolone exposure was a major risk factor for ESBL-E and CRE fecal carriage. Performing rectal swab screening for MDR Enterobacteriaceae and modifying empirical antibiotic therapy accordingly did not improve clinical outcomes of febrile neutropenia patients.

Aspirin dosage for the prevention of graft occlusion in people undergoing coronary surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin is almost always used after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery; however, it is unclear what optimal dose should be prescribed. In this systematic review, we evaluated the effects of high versus low-dose aspirin in patients after CABG. METHODS: A comprehensive database search was conducted in several databases from date of inception until February 2018. There were no language restrictions. We included studies that compared different doses of aspirin in patients that had undergone CABG surgery. We included studies that evaluated patient-important outcomes (mortality, cardiovascular events, and gastrointestinal bleeding); and if not reported, we collected data on the surrogate outcome thromboxane B2 (TXB2). We collected relevant data and performed a meta-analysis. RESULTS: We identified 5903 references, and after two levels of screening by two independent reviewers, we included three randomized controlled trials in the meta-analysis with a total number of 122 participants. Mean age of trial participants was 65.63 years, and 88.68% were male. We planned to analyze all possible clinical outcomes, including mortality, recurrence, and hospitalization. However, no clinical outcomes are reported by the literature. The surrogate biochemical outcome of serum TXB2 was the only outcome reported by the eligible studies. High-dose aspirin (162-325mg once daily) achieved better suppression of TXB2 than low-dose aspirin (75-100mg once daily) (mean difference [MD], 2.00ng/mL, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-3.32; participants = 122; studies = 3; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: We found no clinical trials addressing any of the clinical outcomes of interest. High-dose aspirin was superior to low-dose aspirin in suppressing platelet function, a surrogate outcome. Trials evaluating clinical and patient-important outcomes are needed to better inform medical practice and fill this gap in clinical knowledge.

Castleman's disease with TAFRO syndrome: a case report from Syria.

Castleman's disease is a rare disorder, yet a rarer newly described syndrome called TAFRO syndrome was discovered to accompany it. TAFRO represents the constellation of symptoms (Thrombocytopenia, Anasarca, MyeloFibrosis, Renal failure, Organomegaly). Most cases were described in Japan. We present the first case of TAFRO syndrome in Syria. A 58-year-old Caucasian male with no relevant history presented with fatigue, oliguria, decreased platelets, increased creatinine level, hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, pitting edema and lymph node enlargement. Possible differential diagnoses were excluded by laboratory, radiologic and cytologic tests including TB, malignancy and autoimmune diseases. A biopsy of a supraclavicular lymph node confirmed Castleman disease. Our patient had Catleman's disease, and presented with only four diagnostic criteria for TAFRO syndrome (Myelofibrosis was absent) in addition to other minor characteristics (microcytic anemia, negative HIV and HHV-8 infections.) which make the presentation consistent with TAFRO syndrome described in the Japanese cases. The criteria for diagnosing TAFRO syndrome are still changing, and the pathophysiology behind it is unclear. We recommend further research to understand this syndrome taking into account that its prevalence might be worldwide.