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Introduction: Autoimmune cytopenias (AICs) are a group of disorders characterized by immune-mediated destruction of blood cells. In children, they are often secondary to immune dysregulation that may require long-lasting immunosuppression. Mycophenolate mofetil and sirolimus represent two well-tolerated options to treat these disorders, often as a steroid-sparing option. However, no data are available on the infection risk for patients undergoing long-lasting treatments. Patients and methods: The rate of severe infective events was calculated in episodes per 100 persons/months at risk (p/m/r) documented by the analysis of hospitalization charts between January 2015 and July 2023 of patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus given for isolated AIC or AICs associated with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS)/ALPS-like syndromes in two large Italian pediatric hematology units. Results: From January 2015 to July 2023, 13 out of 96 patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus developed 16 severe infectious events requiring hospitalization. No patients died. Overall infection rate was 0.24 person/*100 months/risk (95% CI 0.09-0.3). Serious infectious events incidence was higher in patients with ALPS-like compared to others (0.42 versus 0.09; p = 0.006) and lower in patients who underwent mycophenolate treatment alone compared to those who started sirolimus after mycophenolate failure (0.04 versus 0.29, p = 0.03). Considering only patients who started treatment at the beginning of study period, overall cumulative hazard was 18.6% at 60 months (95% CI 3.4-31.4) with higher risk of infectious events after 5 years in ALPS-like patients (26.1%; 95% CI 3.2-43.5) compared to other AICs (4%; 95% CI 0-11.4; p = 0.041). Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the infectious risk related to mycophenolate and sirolimus chronic treatment in patients with AICs and immune dysregulation. Our data highlight that infection rate is very low and mainly related to the underlying hematological condition. Conclusions: Mycophenolate and sirolimus represent a safe immunosuppressive therapy in AICs and immune dysregulation syndromes.
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Inmunosupresores , Ácido Micofenólico , Sirolimus , Humanos , Ácido Micofenólico/efectos adversos , Ácido Micofenólico/uso terapéutico , Sirolimus/uso terapéutico , Sirolimus/efectos adversos , Femenino , Masculino , Niño , Inmunosupresores/efectos adversos , Inmunosupresores/uso terapéutico , Preescolar , Adolescente , Lactante , Enfermedades Autoinmunes/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Autoinmunes/inmunología , Enfermedades Autoinmunes/epidemiología , Infecciones/epidemiología , Infecciones/etiología , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios Retrospectivos , Incidencia , CitopeniaAsunto(s)
Enfermedades Autoinmunes , Síndrome Linfoproliferativo Autoinmune , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos , Humanos , Síndrome Linfoproliferativo Autoinmune/diagnóstico , Síndrome Linfoproliferativo Autoinmune/genética , Linfocitos T , Mutación , Apoptosis , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos/diagnósticoRESUMEN
Serine/arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSFs) are a family of proteins involved in RNA metabolism, including pre-mRNA constitutive and alternative splicing. The role of SRSF proteins in regulating mitochondrial activity has already been shown for SRSF6, but SRSF4 altered expression has never been reported as a cause of bone marrow failure. An 8-year-old patient admitted to the hematology unit because of leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia showed a missense variant of unknown significance of the SRSF4 gene (p.R235W) found via whole genome sequencing analysis and inherited from the mother who suffered from mild leuko-neutropenia. Both patients showed lower SRSF4 protein expression and altered mitochondrial function and energetic metabolism in primary lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr-virus (EBV)-immortalized lymphoblasts compared to healthy donor (HD) cells, which appeared associated with low mTOR phosphorylation and an imbalance in the proteins regulating mitochondrial biogenesis (i.e., CLUH) and dynamics (i.e., DRP1 and OPA1). Transfection with the wtSRSF4 gene restored mitochondrial function. In conclusion, this study shows that the described variant of the SRSF4 gene is pathogenetic and causes reduced SRSF4 protein expression, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. Since mitochondrial function is crucial for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and some genetic bone marrow failure syndromes display mitochondrial defects, the SRSF4 mutation could have substantially contributed to the clinical phenotype of our patient.
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Médula Ósea , Mitocondrias , Neutropenia , Factores de Empalme Serina-Arginina , Niño , Humanos , Empalme Alternativo , Médula Ósea/metabolismo , Médula Ósea/patología , Mitocondrias/genética , Mitocondrias/metabolismo , Mitocondrias/patología , Dinámicas Mitocondriales/genética , Proteínas Mitocondriales/metabolismo , Fosfoproteínas/metabolismo , Precursores del ARN/genética , Factores de Empalme Serina-Arginina/genética , Factores de Empalme Serina-Arginina/metabolismoRESUMEN
ABSTRACT: Mutations in the small Rho-family guanosine triphosphate hydrolase RAC2, critical for actin cytoskeleton remodeling and intracellular signal transduction, are associated with neonatal severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), infantile neutrophilic disorder resembling leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD), and later-onset combined immune deficiency (CID). We investigated 54 patients (23 previously reported) from 37 families yielding 15 novel RAC2 missense mutations, including one present only in homozygosity. Data were collected from referring physicians and literature reports with updated clinical information. Patients were grouped by presentation: neonatal SCID (n = 5), infantile LAD-like disease (n = 5), or CID (n = 44). Disease correlated to RAC2 activity: constitutively active RAS-like mutations caused neonatal SCID, dominant-negative mutations caused LAD-like disease, whereas dominant-activating mutations caused CID. Significant T- and B-lymphopenia with low immunoglobulins were seen in most patients; myeloid abnormalities included neutropenia, altered oxidative burst, impaired neutrophil migration, and visible neutrophil macropinosomes. Among 42 patients with CID with clinical data, upper and lower respiratory infections and viral infections were common. Twenty-three distinct RAC2 mutations, including 15 novel variants, were identified. Using heterologous expression systems, we assessed downstream effector functions including superoxide production, p21-activated kinase 1 binding, AKT activation, and protein stability. Confocal microscopy showed altered actin assembly evidenced by membrane ruffling and macropinosomes. Altered protein localization and aggregation were observed. All tested RAC2 mutant proteins exhibited aberrant function; no single assay was sufficient to determine functional consequence. Most mutants produced elevated superoxide; mutations unable to support superoxide formation were associated with bacterial infections. RAC2 mutations cause a spectrum of immune dysfunction, ranging from early onset SCID to later-onset combined immunodeficiencies depending on RAC2 activity. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00001355 and #NCT00001467.
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Síndromes de Inmunodeficiencia , Síndrome de Deficiencia de Adhesión del Leucocito , Enfermedades de Inmunodeficiencia Primaria , Inmunodeficiencia Combinada Grave , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Síndromes de Inmunodeficiencia/genética , Síndromes de Inmunodeficiencia/metabolismo , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Enfermedades de Inmunodeficiencia Primaria/genética , Enfermedades de Inmunodeficiencia Primaria/metabolismo , Proteínas de Unión al GTP rac/genética , Proteínas de Unión al GTP rac/metabolismo , Proteína de Unión al GTP rac1/metabolismo , Proteína RCA2 de Unión a GTP , Inmunodeficiencia Combinada Grave/genética , Inmunodeficiencia Combinada Grave/metabolismo , Superóxidos/metabolismoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired immune-mediated bleeding disorder characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia. Its estimated yearly incidence in the pediatric population is 1.9-6.4/100,000. ITP in children is usually a self-limiting and benign disorder. The clinical management of children with ITP often remains controversial, as robust randomized trials on the management of this disorder are lacking. Treatments vary widely in clinical practice and existing guidelines from hematology societies on clinical management offer indications based largely on expert opinion rather than strong evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Coagulative Disorder Working Group of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) developed this document to collect shared expert opinions on the management of newly diagnosed ITP, updating previous guidelines and providing recommendations to pediatricians. Each statement has been given a score expressing the strength of evidence, appropriateness and agreement among participants. RESULTS: Clear-cut definitions of the clinical phases of the disease and clinical response are stated. Recommendations are given regarding the classification of bleeding symptoms, evaluation of bleeding risk, diagnosis, and prognostic factors. Specific recommendations for treatment include indications for first-line (intravenous immunoglobulins, steroids) and second-line (combined therapy, thrombopoietin receptor agonists, immunosuppressive drugs, rituximab) therapeutic agents, as well as hemorrhagic emergency and supportive treatment, including emergency splenectomy. The optimal follow-up schedule, the relation between ITP and vaccines and health-related quality-of-life issues are also discussed. DISCUSSION: The panel achieved broad consensus on issues related to how to treat children with newly diagnosed ITP, providing a comprehensive review of all relevant clinical aspects.
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Background: The present multicenter retrospective study on eltrombopag administration in Italian children with chronic ITP aims to extend follow-up of our previous study. Materials and methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted in 17 centers affiliated to the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP). Patients were classified into three subgroups: group 1 included patients who discontinued treatment due to a stable platelet count; group 2 included patients who discontinued treatment due to ineffectiveness; group 3 included patients who did not permanently discontinue treatment. Results: 56 patients were eligible for analysis. The median duration of eltrombopag treatment was 40 months (7-71 months). Twenty patients (36%) discontinued permanently eltrombopag. The reasons of permanent discontinuation were adverse effects (n = 1), inefficacy (n = 10), stable platelet count (n = 9). All patients of group 1 maintained a durable response without additional treatments after eltrombopag discontinuation. We found that patients of group 2 were on treatment for less time (median treatment time: 13.5 months, min: 6.0 - max: 56.0) than patients of group 1 (median treatment time: 34 months, min: 16.0 - max: 62.0) (p < 0.05). Patients of group 2 mostly did not achieve a stable platelet count in the first 6 months of treatment and underwent concomitant therapies during follow-up respect of group 1 and group 3 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our study found that the benefits of eltrombopag treatment, in terms of platelet count improvement and use of additional therapies, are identifiable from the first 6 months of treatment.
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Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is an inherited disorder of lymphocyte homeostasis classically due to mutation of FAS, FASL, and CASP10 genes (ALPS-FAS/CASP10). Despite recent progress, about one-third of ALPS patients does not carry classical mutations and still remains gene orphan (ALPS-U, undetermined genetic defects). The aims of the present study were to compare the clinical and immunological features of ALPS-FAS/CASP10 versus those of ALPS-U affected subjects and to deepen the genetic characteristics of this latter group. Demographical, anamnestic, biochemical data were retrieved from medical record of 46 ALPS subjects. An enlarged panel of genes (next-generation sequencing) was applied to the ALPS-U group. ALPS-U subjects showed a more complex phenotype if compared to ALPS-FAS/CASP10 group, characterized by multiorgan involvement (P = 0.001) and positivity of autoimmune markers (P = 0.02). Multilineage cytopenia was present in both groups without differences with the exception of lymphocytopenia and autoimmune neutropenia that were more frequent in ALPS-U than in the ALPS-FAS/CASP10 group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04). First- and second-line treatments were able to control the symptoms in 100% of the ALPS-FAS/CASP10 patients, while 63% of ALPS-U needed >2 lines of treatment and remission in some cases was obtained only after target therapy. In the ALPS-U group, we found in 14 of 28 (50%) patients 19 variants; of these, 4 of 19 (21%) were known as pathogenic and 8 of 19 (42%) as likely pathogenic. A characteristic flow cytometry panel including CD3CD4-CD8-+TCRαß+, CD3+CD25+/CD3HLADR+, TCR αß+ B220+, and CD19+CD27+ identified the ALPS-FAS/CASP10 group. ALPS-U seems to represent a distinct entity from ALPS-FAS/CASP10; this is relevant for management and tailored treatments whenever available.
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Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) represents an effective treatment for a variety of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). We report the experience of children affected by IEI who received allo-HSCT over a period of 32 years at IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy. HSCTs were performed in 67 children with IEI. Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival (OS) rate at 5 years in the whole group of patients was 83.4% after a median follow-up of 4 years. Median age at transplant was 2.5 years. Eight allo-HSCTs were complicated by either primary or secondary graft failure (GF), the overall incidence of this complication being 10.9%. Incidence of grade 3-4 acute GvHD (aGvHD) was 18.7%, significantly lower in the haploidentical transplant cohort (p = 0.005). Year of transplant (≤2006 vs. >2006) was the main factor influencing the outcome. In fact, a significant improvement in 5-year OS was demonstrated (92.5% >2006 vs. 65% ≤2006, p = 0.049). Frequency of severe aGvHD was significantly reduced in recent years (≤2006 61.5%, vs. >2006 20%, p = 0.027). A significant progress has been the introduction of the TCR αß/CD19-depleted haploidentical platform, which was associated with the absence of severe aGvHD. However, it was associated with 23.5% incidence of GF. All but one patient experiencing GF in the this specific cohort were successfully retransplanted. In summary, allo-HSCT is confirmed to be an effective treatment for children with IEI, even in the absence of an HLA-matched donor.
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Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Niño , Humanos , Preescolar , Donantes de Tejidos , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfocitos T alfa-beta , Resultado del Tratamiento , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/efectos adversosAsunto(s)
COVID-19 , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina , Neumonía Necrotizante , Sepsis , Infecciones Estafilocócicas , Enfermedades Vasculares , Humanos , Lactante , Staphylococcus aureus , Meticilina , Neumonía Necrotizante/diagnóstico , Neumonía Necrotizante/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/diagnóstico , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/tratamiento farmacológico , Catéteres , Antibacterianos/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare congenital telomeropathy characterized by cutaneous and nail dystrophy, oral leukoplakia, and bone marrow failure. Pulmonary fibrosis and cancers are late manifestations. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant represents the only cure for those with bone marrow failure with this disease, but outcomes reported are overall poor, with organ toxicities, graft failure, and graft-versus-host disease as main issues. Although reduced intensity conditioning regimens seem to be related to better outcomes, a standard regimen for dyskeratosis congenita has never been defined. Here, we report a successful long-term outcome of an 8-year-old girl with dyskeratosis congenita who received 2 consecutive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants from different unrelated donors, because of rejection after the first one, both conditioned with fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning regimen. The second transplant was complicated by severe hemorrhagic cystitis and acute grade IV graft-versus-host disease in the early phase and mild chronic graft-versus-host disease and ureteral stenosis in the late phase. This experience confirms that dyskeratosis congenita is at high risk for transplant-related morbidity but that a fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning regimen is a safe and feasible option as a preparative regimen, as shown here in a second transplant after first graft rejection. To reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease, more effective prophylaxis schedules should be chosen in cases of unrelated donor, and haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant with in vitro α/ ß + and CD19+ depletion should be considered.
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Disqueratosis Congénita , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Femenino , Humanos , Niño , Rechazo de Injerto/prevención & control , Donante no Emparentado , Disqueratosis Congénita/diagnóstico , Disqueratosis Congénita/cirugía , Disqueratosis Congénita/complicaciones , Acondicionamiento Pretrasplante/efectos adversos , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/efectos adversos , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/etiología , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/prevención & controlRESUMEN
In recent years, the knowledge about the immune-mediated impairment of bone marrow precursors in immune-dysregulation and autoimmune disorders has increased. In addition, immune-dysregulation, secondary to marrow failure, has been reported as being, in some cases, the most evident and early sign of the disease and making the diagnosis of both groups of disorders challenging. Dyskeratosis congenita is a disorder characterized by premature telomere erosion, typically showing marrow failure, nail dystrophy and leukoplakia, although incomplete genetic penetrance and phenotypes with immune-dysregulation features have been described. We report on a previously healthy 17-year-old girl, with a cousin successfully treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who presented with leukopenia and neutropenia. The diagnostic work-up showed positive anti-neutrophil antibodies, leading to the diagnosis of autoimmune neutropenia, a slightly low NK count and high TCR-αß+-double-negative T-cells. A next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis showed the 734C>A variant on exon 6 of the TINF2 gene, leading to the p.Ser245Tyr. The telomere length was short on the lymphocytes and granulocytes, suggesting the diagnosis of an atypical telomeropathy showing with immune-dysregulation. This case underlines the importance of an accurate diagnostic work-up of patients with immune-dysregulation, who should undergo NGS or whole exome sequencing to identify specific disorders that deserve targeted follow-up and treatment.
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Disqueratosis Congénita , Neutropenia , Humanos , Disqueratosis Congénita/genética , Telómero , Exones , Neutropenia/genética , Médula Ósea , Proteínas de Unión a Telómeros/genéticaRESUMEN
Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) is a syndromic immunodeficiency characterized by metaphyseal dysplasia, cancer predisposition, and varying degrees of anemia. It may present as severe combined immunodeficiency in infancy, or slowly progress until fully manifesting in late adolescence/adulthood. No targeted treatment is currently available, and patients are usually managed with supportive measures, or are offered a bone marrow transplant if the clinical phenotype is severe and a suitable donor is available. We report the case of a young girl presenting with transfusion-dependent erythropoietic failure and immunological features resembling autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome who responded well to empirical sirolimus. She later developed a marked growth delay, which was ultimately attributed to metaphyseal dysplasia. A diagnosis of CHH was reached through whole-genome sequencing (WGS), after a less sensitive genetic diagnostic strategy failed. The patient eventually underwent a haploidentical bone marrow transplant due to progressive combined immunodeficiency manifested as cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. This case illustrates the potential role of sirolimus in correcting anemia and partially controlling the immune aberrations associated with CHH, and serves as a reminder of the invaluable role of WGS in diagnosing patients with complex and atypical presentations.
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Anemia , Eritropoyesis , Adulto , Femenino , Cabello/anomalías , Enfermedad de Hirschsprung , Humanos , Osteocondrodisplasias/congénito , Enfermedades de Inmunodeficiencia Primaria , Sirolimus/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Background: Evans syndrome (ES) is a rare disorder classically defined as the simultaneous or sequential presence of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and immune thrombocytopenia, but it has also been described as the presence of at least two autoimmune cytopenias. Recent reports have shown that ES is often a manifestation of an underlying inborn error of immunity (IEI) that can benefit from specific treatments. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical and immunological characteristics and the underlying genetic background of a single-centre cohort of patients with ES. Methods: Data were obtained from a retrospective chart review of patients with a diagnosis of ES followed in our centre. Genetic studies were performed with NGS analysis of 315 genes related to both haematological and immunological disorders, in particular IEI. Results: Between 1985 and 2020, 40 patients (23 men, 17 women) with a median age at onset of 6 years (range 0-16) were studied. ES was concomitant and sequential in 18 (45%) and 22 (55%) patients, respectively. Nine of the 40 (8%) patients had a positive family history of autoimmunity. Other abnormal immunological features and signs of lymphoproliferation were present in 24/40 (60%) and 27/40 (67%) of cases, respectively. Seventeen out of 40 (42%) children fit the ALPS diagnostic criteria. The remaining 21 (42%) and 2 (5%) were classified as having an ALPS-like and an idiopathic disease, respectively. Eighteen patients (45%) were found to have an underlying genetic defect on genes FAS, CASP10, TNFSF13B, LRBA, CTLA4, STAT3, IKBGK, CARD11, ADA2, and LIG4. No significant differences were noted between patients with or without variant and between subjects with classical ES and the ones with other forms of multilineage cytopenias. Conclusions: This study shows that nearly half of patients with ES have a genetic background being in most cases secondary to IEI, and therefore, a molecular evaluation should be offered to all patients.
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Anemia Hemolítica Autoinmune , Púrpura Trombocitopénica Idiopática , Trombocitopenia , Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales , Adolescente , Anemia Hemolítica Autoinmune/genética , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Estudios RetrospectivosAsunto(s)
Autoinmunidad , Neutropenia , Factor Activador de Células B , Linfocitos B , Humanos , Neutropenia/genéticaRESUMEN
Introduction: The Forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) is a transcription factor central to the function of regulatory T cells (Treg). Mutations in the FOXP3 gene lead to a systemic disease called immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, and enteropathy, an X-linked syndrome (IPEX) characterized by the triad of early-onset intractable diarrhea, type 1 diabetes, and eczema. An atypical presentation of IPEX has been reported. Method: We report rare cases with equivocal clinical associations that included inflammatory, kidney, and hematologic involvements screened with massively parallel sequencing techniques. Results: Two patients with hemizygous mutations of FOXP3 [c.779T>A (p.L260Q)] and [c.1087A>G (p.I363V)] presented clinical manifestations not included in typical cases of IPEX: one was a 16-year-old male patient with an initial clinical diagnosis of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) and who developed proteinuria and decreased kidney function due to membranous nephropathy, an autoimmune renal condition characterized by glomerular sub-epithelial antibodies. The second patient was a 2-year-old child with bone marrow failure who developed the same glomerular lesions of membranous nephropathy and received a bone marrow transplantation. High levels of IgG4 in serum, bone marrow, and kidney led to the definition of IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4 RKD) in this young boy. The circulating Treg levels were normal in the former case and very low in the second. Conclusion: Two atypical associations of functional mutations of FOXP3 that include ALPS and IgG4 RKD are described. Membranous nephropathy leading to renal failure completed in both cases the clinical phenotypes that should be included in the clinical panorama of FOXP3 failure.
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Enfermedades Autoinmunes , Enfermedades Genéticas Ligadas al Cromosoma X , Glomerulonefritis Membranosa , Preescolar , Femenino , Factores de Transcripción Forkhead/metabolismo , Enfermedades Genéticas Ligadas al Cromosoma X/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Genéticas Ligadas al Cromosoma X/genética , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/genética , Masculino , Mutación , Linfocitos T ReguladoresRESUMEN
Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) represents a valuable alternative for children with nonmalignant disease and ex vivo negative selection of TCR-αß+ cells is an emerging graft manipulation option that carries several potential advantages in terms of reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and improved immune reconstitution. We report all consecutive patients with a diagnosis of nonmalignant disease who received a TCR-αß+ and CD19+depleted haplo-HSCT at "IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini" from 2013 to 2019; the conditioning regimen was myeloablative or non-myeloablative, depending on underlying disease; all patients received antithymocyte globulin and rituximab. No post-transplantation GvHD prophylaxis was given in presence of a TCR-αß+ cell dose in the graft lower than the threshold of 1 × 105/kg of the recipient's weight. Among 20 HSCTs, engraftment occurred in 17 (85%) after a median of 14 and 12 days from graft infusion for neutrophils and platelets, respectively. Primary graft failure was diagnosed in 3 (15%) patients, and 2 (10%) experienced secondary rejection; all of these patients underwent a second HSCT. The cumulative incidence of a-GvHD and c-GvHD was 15% (2 = grade 1, 1 = grade 4) at 90 days and 5% (1 = grade 1) at 7 months, respectively. Cytomegalovirus reactivation requiring pre-emptive treatment was observed in 9 patients (45%). One patient developed a JC virus-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, successfully managed with donor-derived virus-specific T-cell infusions. A complete immunological recovery was reached in most patients within 6 months. After a median follow-up of 4 years, 18 patients are alive, with a cumulative survival probability of 90%. Haplo-HSCT after ex vivo TCR-αß+/CD19+ negative selection may be considered a good option for children with nonmalignant diseases because it ensures a high engraftment rate with an acceptable risk of graft failure, very low incidence of significant GvHD, and good immune reconstitution with low frequency of severe virus-related disease. However, the control of viral infection/reactivation should be kept high to promptly provide pre-emptive treatments and approaches of antiviral adoptive immunotherapy.
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Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Antígenos CD19 , Niño , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/prevención & control , Humanos , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfocitos T alfa-beta , Acondicionamiento PretrasplanteRESUMEN
Although numerous patient-specific co-factors have been shown to be associated with worse outcomes in COVID-19, the prognostic value of thalassaemic syndromes in COVID-19 patients remains poorly understood. We studied the outcomes of 137 COVID-19 patients with a history of transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT) and transfusion independent thalassaemia (TIT) extracted from a large international cohort and compared them with the outcomes from a matched cohort of COVID-19 patients with no history of thalassaemia. The mean age of thalassaemia patients included in our study was 41 ± 16 years (48.9% male). Almost 81% of these patients suffered from TDT requiring blood transfusions on a regular basis. 38.7% of patients were blood group O. Cardiac iron overload was documented in 6.8% of study patients, whereas liver iron overload was documented in 35% of study patients. 40% of thalassaemia patients had a history of splenectomy. 27.7% of study patients required hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection. Amongst the hospitalized patients, one patient died (0.7%) and one patient required intubation. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was required in almost 5% of study patients. After adjustment for age-, sex- and other known risk factors (cardiac disease, kidney disease and pulmonary disease), the rate of in-hospital complications (supplemental oxygen use, admission to an intensive care unit for CPAP therapy or intubation) and all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the thalassaemia group compared to the matched cohort with no history of thalassaemia. Amongst thalassaemia patients in general, the TIT group exhibited a higher rate of hospitalization compared to the TDT group (p = 0.001). In addition, the rate of complications such as acute kidney injury and need for supplemental oxygen was significantly higher in the TIT group compared to the TDT group. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, age and history of heart or kidney disease were all found to be independent risk factors for increased in-hospital, all-cause mortality, whereas the presence of thalassaemia (either TDT or TIT) was found to be independently associated with reduced all-cause mortality. The presence of thalassaemia in COVID-19 patients was independently associated with lower in-hospital, all-cause mortality and few in-hospital complications in our study. The pathophysiology of this is unclear and needs to be studied in vitro and in animal models.
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COVID-19 , Sobrecarga de Hierro , Talasemia , COVID-19/complicaciones , Femenino , Hospitales , Humanos , Sobrecarga de Hierro/etiología , Masculino , Oxígeno , Sistema de Registros , Talasemia/complicaciones , Talasemia/terapiaAsunto(s)
COVID-19/complicaciones , Hemoglobinopatías/complicaciones , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/mortalidad , Femenino , Hemoglobinopatías/epidemiología , Hemoglobinopatías/mortalidad , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , SARS-CoV-2/aislamiento & purificación , Talasemia/complicaciones , Talasemia/epidemiología , Talasemia/mortalidad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To test the usefulness of an extended panel of lymphocyte subsets in combination with Oliveira's diagnostic criteria for the identification of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) in children referred to a paediatric rheumatology centre. METHODS: Patients referred from 2015 to 2018 to our rheumatology unit for an autoimmune or autoinflammatory condition were retrospectively analysed. Oliveira's required criteria [chronic lymphoproliferation and elevated double-negative T (DNT)] were applied as first screening. Flow cytometry study included double-negative CD4-CD8-TCRαß+ T lymphocytes (DNT), CD25+CD3+, HLA-DR+CD3+ T cells, B220+ T cells and CD27+ B cells. Data were analysed with a univariate logistic regression analysis, followed by a multivariate analysis. Sensitivity and specificity of the Oliveira's required criteria were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 264 patients were included in the study and classified as: (i) autoimmune diseases (n = 26); (ii) juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (35); (iii) monogenic systemic autoinflammatory disease (27); (iv) periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome (100); (v) systemic undefined recurrent fever (45); (vi) undetermined-systemic autoinflammatory disease (14); or (vii) ALPS (17). Oliveira's required criteria displayed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 79%. When compared with other diseases the TCRαß+B220+ lymphocytes were significantly increased in ALPS patients. The multivariate analysis revealed five clinical/laboratory parameters positively associated to ALPS: splenomegaly, female gender, arthralgia, elevated DNT and TCRαß+B220+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Oliveira's required criteria are useful for the early suspicion of ALPS. TCRαß+B220+ lymphocytes should be added in the diagnostic work-up of patients referred to the paediatric rheumatology unit for a suspected autoimmune or autoinflammatory condition, providing a relevant support in the early diagnosis of ALPS.