Myeloid Proliferations Associated with Down Syndrome: Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Forty Cases from Five Large Academic Institutions.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia is significantly increased in children with Down syndrome (DS). Within the revised 2016 WHO edition, these entities are jointly classified as myeloid leukemia associated with DS (ML-DS). Additionally, infants with DS may develop transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) which is histomorphologically similar to ML-DS. While TAM is self-limiting, it is associated with an increased risk of subsequently developing ML-DS. Differentiating TAM and ML-DS is challenging but clinically critical. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of ML-DS and TAM cases collected from five large academic institutions in the USA. We assessed clinical, pathological, immunophenotypical, and molecular features to identify differentiating criteria. RESULTS: Forty cases were identified: 28 ML-DS and 12 TAM. Several features were diagnostically distinct, including younger age in TAM (p < 0.05), as well as presentation with clinically significant anemia and thrombocytopenia in ML-DS (p < 0.001). Dyserythropoiesis was unique to ML-DS, as well as structural cytogenetic abnormalities aside from the constitutional trisomy 21. Immunophenotypic characteristics of TAM and ML-DS were indistinguishable, including the aberrant expression of CD7 and CD56 by the myeloid blasts. DISCUSSION: The findings of the study confirm marked biological similarities between TAM and ML-DS. At the same time, several significant clinical, morphological, and genetic differences were observed between TAM and ML-DS. The clinical approach and the differential diagnosis between these entities are discussed in detail.

Primary Effusion Lymphoma in an HIV-Negative Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Dasatinib.

INTRODUCTION: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a malignant lymphomatous effusion, which by definition is Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8-positive. PEL typically occurs in HIV-infected patients but can also occur in HIV-negative individuals, including in organ transplant recipients. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are currently the standard of care for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), BCR::ABL1-positive. Although TKIs are extremely effective in treating CML, they alter T-cell function by inhibiting peripheral T-cell migration and altering T-cell trafficking and have been associated with the development of pleural effusions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of PEL in a young, relatively immunocompetent patient with no history of organ transplant receiving dasatinib for CML, BCR::ABL1-positive. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that the loss of T-cell function secondary to TKI therapy (dasatinib) may have resulted in the unchecked cellular proliferation of Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected cells, leading to the emergence of a PEL. We recommend cytologic investigation and KSHV testing in patients being treated with dasatinib for CML who present with persistent or recurrent effusions.

Transfusion reactions associated with COVID-19 convalescent plasma therapy for SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma (CP) for treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has shown preliminary signs of effectiveness in moderate to severely ill patients in reducing mortality. While studies have demonstrated a low risk of serious adverse events, the comprehensive incidence and nature of the spectrum of transfusion reactions to CP is unknown. We retrospectively examined 427 adult inpatient CP transfusions to determine incidence and types of reactions, as well as clinical parameters and risk factors associated with transfusion reactions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed for 427 transfusions to 215 adult patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) within the Mount Sinai Health System, through the US Food and Drug Administration emergency investigational new drug and the Mayo Clinic Expanded Access Protocol to Convalescent Plasma approval pathways. Transfusions were blindly evaluated by two reviewers and adjudicated by a third reviewer in discordant cases. Patient demographics and clinical and laboratory parameters were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-five reactions from 427 transfusions were identified (12.9% incidence), and 13 were attributed to transfusion (3.1% incidence). Reactions were classified as underlying COVID-19 (76%), febrile nonhemolytic (10.9%), transfusion-associated circulatory overload (9.1%), and allergic (1.8%) and hypotensive (1.8%) reactions. Statistical analysis identified increased transfusion reaction risk for ABO blood group B or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores of 12 to 13, and decreased risk within the age group of 80 to 89 years. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the use of CP as a safe, therapeutic option from a transfusion reaction perspective, in the setting of COVID-19. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical significance of ABO group B, age, and predisposing disease severity in the incidence of transfusion reaction events.

Bone marrow morphologic features, MyPRS, and gene mutation correlations in plasma cell myeloma.

Genetics has played an important role in risk stratification for plasma cell myeloma patients, providing therapeutic guidance. In this study, we investigated the correlation of bone marrow morphologic features and genetic aberrations, including gene expression profiles, translocations, and gene mutations. For the first time we show that high plasma cell volume, diffuse sheet growth pattern, immature cell morphology, high mitotic index, and increased reticulin fibrosis, significantly correlates with high risk disease determined by MyPRS gene expression profiles. Furthermore, we show the association between MyPRS risk stratification and chromosomal alterations and specific gene mutations. We also demonstrate the combinational effect of TP53 mutation and 17p loss on the histological changes in bone marrow.

Kawasaki disease seasonality in Venezuela supports an arbovirus infection trigger.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory disease primarily affecting infants and young children, whose etiology remains uncertain. Observational studies of the overlap between KD outbreaks and seasonal peaks of arboviral infections, suggest the possible role of these pathogens as triggers of KD. In Venezuela, regions with the highest reported arboviral infections simultaneously have the highest incidence of KD. One proposed explanation for this association involves the role of proinflammatory mediators, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor as mediators of coronary endothelial damage. The promotion of inflammation and tissue destruction by these cytokines is thought to contribute to the coronary endothelial damage experienced in KD. The utilization of overlapping KD and arboviral infection trends contribute to the comprehension of KD etiology, with improvements in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma masquerading as granulomatous lymphadenitis: Fine needle aspiration cytology, clinical and radiology correlation.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a minimally invasive technique used in the initial diagnosis of superficial lesions, including lymphadenopathy. Its benefit in lymph node pathology, however, is highly variable, especially in heterogeneous lymphoproliferative disorders like angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). AITL is an aggressive hematopoietic malignancy, histologically characterized by medium-sized neoplastic cells, high endothelial venule proliferations, and a heterogeneous hematolymphoid background. Diagnostic difficulty arises at lymph node FNA, where cytology yields nonspecific polymorphous collections of medium-sized lymphocytes, hematolymphoid cells, dendritic cell-lymphoid complexes, and lymphoid tissue fragments with transgressing blood vessels; findings mimicking reactive lymphadenopathy. We present a case of a 62-year-old male who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy. Neck level II lymph node FNA revealed granulomatous inflammation. A cell block was prepared for additional infectious studies but was non-contributory due to lack of material. Flow cytometry showed no evidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Excisional biopsy revealed lymph node effacement by a T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder consistent with AITL. This case contributes to the paucity of literature regarding the cytologic features of AITL observed at FNA, and becomes the premier case to emphasize the addition of granulomatous features. Despite the aggressive nature of this entity, cases are frequently misdiagnosed as reactive on initial evaluation resulting in delay of treatment. This report serves to raise suspicion of AITL and other polymorphic cellular lymphomas in the setting of reactive granulomatous cytomorphology, thus prompting histological examination of tissue biopsy, expediting treatment, and ultimately providing potential improvement to the current prognosis.

Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload and Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury.

OBJECTIVES: To review the new current diagnostic criteria of transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) from the literature while highlighting distinguishing features. We provide comprehensive understanding of the importance of hemovigilance and its role in appropriately identifying and reporting these potentially fatal transfusion reactions. METHODS: A review of the English language literature was performed to analyze TACO and TRALI while providing further understanding of the rationale behind the historical underrecognition and underreporting. RESULTS: Our review demonstrates the new 2018 and 2019 case definitions for TACO and TRALI, respectively. With more comprehensive diagnostic strategies, adverse transfusion events can be better recognized from mimicking events and underlying disease. In addition, there are mitigation strategies in place to help prevent complications of blood product transfusion, with emphasis on the prevention of TACO and TRALI. CONCLUSIONS: TACO and TRALI are potentially fatal adverse complications of blood transfusion. Both have been historically underrecognized and underreported due to poor defining criteria and overlapping symptomatology. Developing a thorough clinical understanding between these two entities can improve hemovigilance reporting and can contribute to risk factor identification and preventative measures.