Evaluation of serological response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in hematological patients.

Introduction: In immunocompromised patients, SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine has been used in Italy from the beginning of the vaccination campaign, but several studies have shown that the serological response of onco-hematological patients was reduced compared to healthy subjects, due to the state of immunosuppression because of both underlying disease and administered therapy. Methods: We evaluated the association of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG titers in 215 hematological patients with clinical and demographic variables to verify if it was possible to identify predictive parameters of serological response, as well as using a control group, consisting of healthy health workers of San Carlo Hospital in Potenza. Anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG titers were evaluated after 30-45 days post second dose vaccine using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology. Results: Patients with hematological malignancies, compared with the control arm, had both a mean concentration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG significantly lower and a seroconversion rate numerically lower. All chronic lymphatic leukemia patients showed levels of antibody titer below the mean concentration, also in only clinical surveillance patients. Comparing serological response in hematological malignancies, only acute leukemia patients who were off therapy had the highest seroconversion rate among the patients' cohorts and a mean antibody concentration greater than the control arm. Patients treated with steroids and rituximab showed a lower level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG. Differences in anti-spike IgG levels among chronic myeloid leukemia patients stratified according to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy and molecular response were observed, and they could have interesting implications on the evaluation of the effects of these drugs on the immune system, but having not reached statistical significance at the moment. The cohort of patients who received a stem cell transplant was very heterogeneous because it included different hematological malignancies and different types of transplant; however, a mean concentration of anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG greater than the control arm was reported. Indeed, among patients who performed a transplant for over 6 months only one had a spike IgG concentration below the cutoff. Conclusions: Our data confirm reduced serological response in hematological patients after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, we found a great diversity of SARS-CoV-2 antibody response according to types of pathologies and therapies.

Aspergilosis pulmonar: sindromes de hipersensibilidad / Pulmonary aspergillosis: hypersensitivity syndromes

Las especies de hongos del género Aspergillus, presentan especial predilección por el tejido pulmonar, originando variados cuadros clínicos según se presenten como síndromes de hipersensibilidad o infecciones invasivas y diseminadas. En esta oportunidad se presentan dos casos clínicos de hipersensibilidad pulmonar al Aspergillus con las formas de Alveolitis Alérgica Extrínseca y Aspergilosis Broncopulmonar Alérgica. Ambos tratados con Itraconazol 400 mg/día vía oral en forma exitosa y con negativización de la serología para Aspergillus. Esta patología debe ser sospechada en pacientes con broncoobstrucción, bronquiectasias e infiltrados pulmonares que no responden al tratamiento habitual o bien ante el antecedente de exposición al hongo. El tratamiento con Itraconazol por vía oral puede ser eficaz al disminuir la carga micótica en estos pacientes.

Neumonitis causada por terapia con sales de oro / Pneumonitis caused by gold salts therapy

La neumonitis inducida por sales de oro fue descripta por primera vez en 1960. Existen pocos casos bien documentados reportados a la fecha. Se describe un interesante caso de injuria pulmonar difusa reversible, desarrollada en una paciente con artritis reumatoidea en curso terapeútico con sales de oro. El desarrollo de síntomas respiratorios poco tiempo después de la aparición de un rash cutáneo típico inducido por oro, la ausencia de compromiso pleural, la respuesta favorable a la administración de corticoterapia y la interrupción de las sales de oro sugieren el diagnóstico.