Expanding the Phenotype of 8p23.1 Deletion Syndrome: Eight New Cases Resembling the Clinical Spectrum of 22q11.2 Microdeletion.

OBJECTIVE: To report the effectiveness of early molecular diagnosis in the clinical management of rare diseases, presenting 8 patients with 8p23.1DS who have clinical features that overlap the phenotypic spectrum of 22q11.2DS. STUDY DESIGN: This report is part of a previous study that aims to provide a precocious molecular diagnosis of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome in 118 infants with congenital heart disease. To confirm the clinical diagnosis, patients underwent comparative genomic screening by the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay with the SALSA MLPA probemix kits P064-B2, P036-E1, P070-B2, P356-A1, and P250- B1. Subsequently, the patients performed the genomic microarray using the Infinium CytoSNP-850K BeadChip to confirm the deletion, determine the breakpoints of the deletion, and search for genomic copy number variations. RESULTS: MLPA performed with 3 different kits revealed the 8p23.1 typical deletion involving the PPP1R3B, MSRA, and GATA4 genes in the 5 patients. The array analysis was performed on these 5 patients and 3 other patients (8 patients) who also had clinical suspicion of 22q11 deletion (8 patients) allowed a precise definition of the breakpoints and excluded other genomic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Cytogenomic screening was efficient in establishing a differential diagnosis and ruling out the presence of other concomitant syndromes. The clinical picture of the 8p23.1 deletion syndrome is challenging; however, cytogenomic tools can provide an exact diagnosis and help to clarify the genotype-phenotype complexity of these patients. Our reports underline the importance of early diagnosis and clinical follow-up of microdeletion syndromes.

Microbiological profile in chronic granulomatous disease patients in a single Brazilian primary immunodeficiency center.

BACKGROUND: Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency. Infections of lung, skin, lymph nodes, and liver are the hallmark of CGD and frequently the initial manifestation of the disease. The aim of the present paper is to describe the sites of infections and their causative agents in 38 pediatric patients with CGD. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center cohort study included CGD patients followed at the allergy and immunology unit of a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil over the last 40 years. Sites of infections and their causative agents were described. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included (36 males). The median age of onset of symptoms was 45 days (ranging from 7 days-7 years), and the median age at diagnosis was 23 months (ranging from 1 month-12 years). In all, 31.6% of the patients reported a family history of child deaths and 21% (eight cases) had another male family member with CGD. The most common infections were pneumonia (81.6%), skin infections (50.0%), adenitis (42.1%), and liver abscess (23.7%); 188 cultures were positive (85.6% bacteria; 14.4% fungi). The most prevalent bacterial agents were Staphylococcus sp. (12.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.2%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.3%). Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp. were 56% and 22.2% of the isolated fungi, respectively. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 5.6% and Mycobacterium bovis in one patient (0.9%). CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus sp. were the most frequent agents found in this cohort. M. tuberculosis should be considered in endemic area. Detection of infectious agents drives to the adequate treatment and benefits the evolution of patients with CGD.

Age-related transcriptional modules and TF-miRNA-mRNA interactions in neonatal and infant human thymus.

The human thymus suffers a transient neonatal involution, recovers and then starts a process of decline between the 1st and 2nd years of life. Age-related morphological changes in thymus were extensively investigated, but the genomic mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. Through Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and TF-miRNA-mRNA integrative analysis we studied the transcriptome of neonate and infant thymic tissues grouped by age: 0-30 days (A); 31days-6 months (B); 7-12 months (C); 13-18 months (D); 19-31months (E). Age-related transcriptional modules, hubs and high gene significance (HGS) genes were identified, as well as TF-miRNA-hub/HGS co-expression correlations. Three transcriptional modules were correlated with A and/or E groups. Hubs were mostly related to cellular/metabolic processes; few were differentially expressed (DE) or related to T-cell development. Inversely, HGS genes in groups A and E were mostly DE. In A (neonate) one third of the hyper-expressed HGS genes were related to T-cell development, against one-twentieth in E, what may correlate with the early neonatal depletion and recovery of thymic T-cell populations. This genomic mechanism is tightly regulated by TF-miRNA-hub/HGS interactions that differentially govern cellular and molecular processes involved in the functioning of the neonate thymus and in the beginning of thymic decline.

Severe clinical spectrum with high mortality in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcomes of pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with or without multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 471 samples collected from 371 patients (age<18 years) suspected of having severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The study group comprised 66/371 (18%) laboratory-confirmed pediatric COVID-19 patients: 61 (92.5%) patients tested positive on real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests for SARS-CoV-2, and 5 (7.5%) patients tested positive on serological tests. MIS-C was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Center for Disease Control. RESULTS: MIS-C was diagnosed in 6/66 (9%) patients. The frequencies of diarrhea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain (67% vs. 22%, p=0.034); pediatric SARS (67% vs. 13%, p=0.008); hypoxemia (83% vs. 23%, p=0.006); and arterial hypotension (50% vs. 3%, p=0.004) were significantly higher in patients with MIS-C than in those without MIS-C. The frequencies of C-reactive protein levels >50 mg/L (83% vs. 25%, p=0.008) and D-dimer levels >1000 ng/mL (100% vs. 40%, p=0.007) and the median D-dimer, troponin T, and ferritin levels (p<0.05) were significantly higher in patients with MIS-C. The frequencies of pediatric intensive care unit admission (100% vs. 60%, p=0.003), mechanical ventilation (83% vs. 7%, p<0.001), vasoactive agent use (83% vs. 3%, p<0.001), shock (83% vs. 5%, p<0.001), cardiac abnormalities (100% vs. 2%, p<0.001), and death (67% vs. 3%, p<0.001) were also significantly higher in patients with MIS-C. Similarly, the frequencies of oxygen therapy (100% vs. 33%, p=0.003), intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (67% vs. 2%, p<0.001), aspirin therapy (50% vs. 0%, p<0.001), and current acute renal replacement therapy (50% vs. 2%, p=0.002) were also significantly higher in patients with MIS-C. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of MIS-C was significantly associated with gastrointestinal manifestations [odds ratio (OR)=10.98; 95%CI (95% confidence interval)=1.20-100.86; p=0.034] and hypoxemia [OR=16.85; 95%CI=1.34-211.80; p=0.029]. Further univariate analysis showed a positive association between MIS-C and death [OR=58.00; 95%CI=6.39-526.79; p<0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 with MIS-C had a severe clinical spectrum with a high mortality rate. Our study emphasizes the importance of investigating MIS-C in pediatric patients with COVID-19 presenting with gastrointestinal involvement and hypoxemia.

Human colostrum contains IgA antibodies reactive to colonization factors I and II of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Diarrhea is an important cause of morbidity and mortality amongst infants of low socio-economic levels in developing countries and in travelers who visit such areas. Enterotoxigenic E. coli strains express two sets of virulence-associated factors: enterotoxins (heat-stable toxins or heat-labile toxins) and colonization factors. Studies have shown that breast-feeding protects infants against infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, as it presents a great variety of immunological components. The aim of this study was to analyze the reactivity of immunoglobulin A from human colostrum to colonization factor antigens I and II. The colostrum ability in preventing enterotoxigenic E. coli adhesion to Caco-2 cells was also evaluated. Colostrum samples were collected from 32 healthy women, and a human colostrum pool was prepared. Enterotoxigenic E. coli strains expressing colonization factor antigens I and II were utilized. The colostrum pool and individual samples showed variable antienterotoxigenic E. coli immunoglobulin A titers, that were reactive with colonization factor antigen I and CS1/CS3 (colonization factor antigen II). The human colostrum pool and individual samples inhibited enterotoxigenic E. coli colonization factor antigen I and II adhesion to Caco-2 cells, at variable levels, and this ability was a result of immunoglobulin A antibodies reactive to these colonization factors. The immunoglobulin A-depleted pool lost this inhibitory ability. As bacterial adhesion is the initial mechanism of enterotoxigenic E. coli infection, breast-feeding could protect the offspring against diarrhea caused by this agent.

Protective activity of the antilipopolysaccharide antibodies from human cord serum.

We evaluated the ability of human maternal and cord serum antibodies to protect mice challenged with live Escherichia coli serotype O6:K2ac (E. coli O6). Mice received paired maternal or cord serum pools before a challenge with E. coli O6 to evaluate the mortality rate. All the pools were able to protect the animals challenged with bacteria except the test group from paired maternal and cord sera from preterm neonates containing less than 1.0 mg L(-1) immunoglobulin G antibody levels. In liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes from the control group (phosphate-buffered saline), more than 10(2) CFU mL(-1) bacteria were found at 30 min and more than 10(5) CFU mL(-1) after 120 min. The test group showed lower bacterial counts in the organs, and no bacteria in the mesenteric lymph nodes during the evaluated period. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 were undetectable in serum from animals pretreated with paired maternal and cord serum pools from full-term neonates and pools from preterm neonates containing high antibody and avidity levels. Our findings suggest that placental transfer of antilipopolysaccharide O6 immunoglobulin G antibodies to neonates has a high capacity to prevent lethal infection with E. coli O6 in a mouse protection model and that the degree of protection is determined by the concentration and avidity of these IgG antibodies.

Microbiological profile in chronic granulomatous disease patients in a single Brazilian primary immunodeficiency center

Background Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency. Infections of lung, skin, lymph nodes, and liver are the hallmark of CGD and frequently the initial manifestation of the disease. The aim of the present paper is to describe the sites of infections and their causative agents in 38 pediatric patients with CGD Methods This retrospective, single-center cohort study included CGD patients followed at the allergy and immunology unit of a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil over the last 40 years. Sites of infections and their causative agents were described. Results Thirty-eight patients were included (36 males). The median age of onset of symptoms was 45 days (ranging from 7 days–7 years), and the median age at diagnosis was 23 months (ranging from 1 month–12 years). In all, 31.6% of the patients reported a family history of child deaths and 21% (eight cases) had another male family member with CGD. The most common infections were pneumonia (81.6%), skin infections (50.0%), adenitis (42.1%), and liver abscess (23.7%); 188 cultures were positive (85.6% bacteria; 14.4% fungi). The most prevalent bacterial agents were Staphylococcus sp. (12.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.2%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.3%). Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp. were 56% and 22.2% of the isolated fungi, respectively. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 5.6% and Mycobacterium bovis in one patient (0.9%). Conclusion Staphylococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus sp. were the most frequent agents found in this cohort. M. tuberculosis should be considered in endemic area. Detection of infectious agents drives to the adequate treatment and benefits the evolution of patients with CGD (AU)

Microbiological profile in chronic granulomatous disease patients in a single Brazilian primary immunodeficiencies center

Background: Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency. Infections of the lungs, skin, lymph nodes, and liver are the hallmark of CGD with frequent initial manifestations of the disease. The aim of the present study was to describe the sites of infections and their causative agents in 38 CGD pediatric patients. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center cohort study comprising CGD patients, and followed for over last 40 years at the Allergy and Immunology Unit of a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Sites of infections and their causative agents were described. Results: A total of 38 patients were included (36 males and 2 females). Median age at the onset of symptoms was 45 days (7 days–7 years) and that at the time of diagnosis was 23 months (1 month–12 years); 31.6% of the parents reported death of relatives during childhood and 21% (8 cases) had another male family member with CDG. The most common infections were pneumonia (81.6%), skin infections (50.0%), adenitis (42.1%), and liver abscess (23.7%). In all, 188 cultures were positive (85.6% for bacteria and 14.4% for fungi). The most prevalent bacterial agents were Staphylococcus sp. (12.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.2%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.3%). Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp. were 56% and 22.2% of the isolated fungi, respectively. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 5.6% and Mycobacterium bovis in 0.9% (only in 1 patient) of cultures. Conclusion: Staphylococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus sp. were the most frequent agents in this cohort. M. tuberculosis should be considered in endemic areas. Detection of infectious agents drives to find adequate treatment and benefits the evolution of patients with CGD (AU)

Primary hypogammaglobulinemia: The impact of early diagnosis in lung complications.

OBJECTIVE:: To describe clinical features, tomographic findings and pulmonary function in pediatric patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia (PH). METHOD:: A retrospective cohort study of children with PH who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and prophylactic antibiotics between 2005 and 2010. Epidemiological and clinical features, computed tomography (CT) findings, and spirometric data were compared, assuming a 5% significance level. RESULTS:: We evaluated 30 patients with PH. After the start of IVIG replacement, there was a decline in the frequency of pneumonia (p<0.001). The 11 patients with bronchiectasis in their first CT scan were older at diagnosis (p=0.001) and had greater diagnostic delay (p=0.001) compared to patients without bronchiectasis. At the end of the study, 18 patients had bronchiectasis and 27 also had other lung disorders, alone or in combination. The Bhalla score was applied to the last CT scan of 16 patients, with a median score of 11 (range 7-21), with a positive correlation between the score and the number of pneumonias after the start of treatment (r=0.561; p=0.024). The score was also correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) values in 13/16 patients, with negative correlation to FEV1 previously to bronchodilator (r=-0.778; p=0.002) and after bronchodilator (r =-0.837; p<0.001) and FVC (r=-0.773; p=0.002). CONCLUSION:: Pulmonary complications were common in this cohort, despite the decrease in the frequency of pneumonia with treatment. Early investigation of patients with recurrent infections for primary immunodeficiencies can reduce the frequency of these complications. The monitoring of changes in spirometry may indicate the need to carry out radiological investigation.

Severe clinical spectrum with high mortality in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcomes of pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with or without multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 471 samples collected from 371 patients (age<18 years) suspected of having severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The study group comprised 66/371 (18%) laboratory-confirmed pediatric COVID-19 patients: 61 (92.5%) patients tested positive on real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests for SARS-CoV-2, and 5 (7.5%) patients tested positive on serological tests. MIS-C was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Center for Disease Control. RESULTS: MIS-C was diagnosed in 6/66 (9%) patients. The frequencies of diarrhea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain (67% vs. 22%, p=0.034); pediatric SARS (67% vs. 13%, p=0.008); hypoxemia (83% vs. 23%, p=0.006); and arterial hypotension (50% vs. 3%, p=0.004) were significantly higher in patients with MIS-C than in those without MIS-C. The frequencies of C-reactive protein levels >50 mg/L (83% vs. 25%, p=0.008) and D-dimer levels >1000 ng/mL (100% vs. 40%, p=0.007) and the median D-dimer, troponin T, and ferritin levels (p<0.05) were significantly higher in patients with MIS-C. The frequencies of pediatric intensive care unit admission (100% vs. 60%, p=0.003), mechanical ventilation (83% vs. 7%, p<0.001), vasoactive agent use (83% vs. 3%, p<0.001), shock (83% vs. 5%, p<0.001), cardiac abnormalities (100% vs. 2%, p<0.001), and death (67% vs. 3%, p<0.001) were also significantly higher in patients with MIS-C. Similarly, the frequencies of oxygen therapy (100% vs. 33%, p=0.003), intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (67% vs. 2%, p<0.001), aspirin therapy (50% vs. 0%, p<0.001), and current acute renal replacement therapy (50% vs. 2%, p=0.002) were also significantly higher in patients with MIS-C. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of MIS-C was significantly associated with gastrointestinal manifestations [odds ratio (OR)=10.98; 95%CI (95% confidence interval)=1.20-100.86; p=0.034] and hypoxemia [OR=16.85; 95%CI=1.34-211.80; p=0.029]. Further univariate analysis showed a positive association between MIS-C and death [OR=58.00; 95%CI=6.39-526.79; p<0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 with MIS-C had a severe clinical spectrum with a high mortality rate. Our study emphasizes the importance of investigating MIS-C in pediatric patients with COVID-19 presenting with gastrointestinal involvement and hypoxemia.

Thymopoiesis and regulatory T cells in healthy children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between T cell receptor excision circle levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and regulatory T cells that co-express CD25 and Foxp3 in healthy children and adolescents of different ages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quantification of signal-joint T-cell receptor excision circle levels in the genomic DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed using real-time quantitative PCR. The analysis of CD4, CD8, CD25, and Foxp3 expression was performed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Ninety-five healthy controls (46 females and 49 males) ranging in age from 1 to 18 years were analyzed. The mean T-cell receptor excision circle count in all individuals was 89.095 ± 36.790 T-cell receptor excision circles per microgram of DNA. There was an inverse correlation between T-cell receptor excision circles counts and age (r = -0.846; p<0.001) as well as between the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells and age (r = -0.467; p = 0.04). In addition, we observed a positive correlation between the amount of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells and the amount of T-cell receptor excision circles per microgram of DNA in individuals of all ages (r = -0.529; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed a decrease in the thymic function with age based on the fact that the level of T-cell receptor excision circles in the peripheral blood positively correlated with the proportion of regulatory T cells in healthy children and adolescents. These findings indicate that although T-cell receptor excision circles and regulatory T cells levels decrease with age, homeostasis of the immune system and relative regulatory T cells population levels are maintained in the peripheral blood.

Minimal concentration of human IgM and IgG antibodies necessary to protect mice from challenges with live O6 Escherichia coli.

This work evaluated the ability of human anti-lipopolysaccharide O6 IgM and IgG antibodies to protect mice challenged with Escherichia coli serotype O6 : K2ac. Purified IgM-effluent, purified IgG, pools of normal human serum (NHS), or control group were injected into mice 18 h before challenges with O6 E. coli. Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were quantified in the sera of test and control groups. All mice receiving purified IgM-effluent (66.6 mg L(-1) of anti-lipopolysaccharide O6 IgM antibodies) and NHS survived. Purified IgG (1.1 mg L(-1) of anti-lipopolysaccharide O6 IgG antibodies) protected 87.5% of the animals. The control group showed no protective ability. The minimal concentration of anti-lipopolysaccharide O6 IgM antibodies, able to protect 50% of the animals was 33.3 mg L(-1) of purified IgM-effluent, whereas purified IgG was able to protect 50% of the animals with only 1.1 mg L(-1) of anti-lipopolysaccharide O6 IgG antibodies. Serum from animals pretreated with purified IgM-effluent and purified IgG before challenges with lipopolysaccharide O6 did not have detectable pro-inflammatory cytokines. Hepatocytes of the control group were completely invaded by bacteria, whereas none was found in animals pretreated with purified IgM-effluent and purified IgG. Higher concentrations of anti-lipopolysaccharide O6 IgM antibodies as compared to anti-lipopolysaccharide O6 IgG antibodies were needed to protect mice from challenges with E. coli O6 serotype.

Primary hypogammaglobulinemia: The impact of early diagnosis in lung complications / Hipogamaglobulinemia primária: o impacto do diagnóstico precoce nas complicações pulmonares

Summary Objective: To describe clinical features, tomographic findings and pulmonary function in pediatric patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia (PH). Method: A retrospective cohort study of children with PH who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and prophylactic antibiotics between 2005 and 2010. Epidemiological and clinical features, computed tomography (CT) findings, and spirometric data were compared, assuming a 5% significance level. Results: We evaluated 30 patients with PH. After the start of IVIG replacement, there was a decline in the frequency of pneumonia (p<0.001). The 11 patients with bronchiectasis in their first CT scan were older at diagnosis (p=0.001) and had greater diagnostic delay (p=0.001) compared to patients without bronchiectasis. At the end of the study, 18 patients had bronchiectasis and 27 also had other lung disorders, alone or in combination. The Bhalla score was applied to the last CT scan of 16 patients, with a median score of 11 (range 7-21), with a positive correlation between the score and the number of pneumonias after the start of treatment (r=0.561; p=0.024). The score was also correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) values in 13/16 patients, with negative correlation to FEV1 previously to bronchodilator (r=-0.778; p=0.002) and after bronchodilator (r =-0.837; p<0.001) and FVC (r=-0.773; p=0.002). Conclusion: Pulmonary complications were common in this cohort, despite the decrease in the frequency of pneumonia with treatment. Early investigation of patients with recurrent infections for primary immunodeficiencies can reduce the frequency of these complications. The monitoring of changes in spirometry may indicate the need to carry out radiological investigation.

Resumo Objetivo: descrever características clínicas, tomográficas e de função pulmonar em pacientes pediátricos com hipogamaglobulinemia primária (HP). Método: estudo de coorte retrospectivo de crianças com HP que recebiam gamaglobulina endovenosa (GEV) e antibiótico profilático entre 2005 e 2010. As características epidemiológicas, clínicas, os achados de tomografia e espirometria foram comparadas adotando níveis de significância de 5%. Resultados: foram avaliados 30 pacientes com HP. Após o início da reposição de GEV, houve redução da frequência de pneumonias (p<0,001). Os 11 pacientes que apresentavam bronquiectasias na primeira tomografia computadorizada (TC) eram mais velhos ao diagnóstico (p=0,001) e tiveram maior atraso no diagnóstico (p=0,001) quando comparados aos pacientes sem bronquiectasias. Ao final do estudo, 18 pacientes apresentavam bronquiectasias e 27/30 também apresentaram outras alterações pulmonares, isoladas ou concomitantes. O escore de Bhalla foi aplicado à última TC de 16/30 pacientes, com mediana do escore de 11 (variação 7-21), com correlação positiva entre o escore e o número de pneumonias após o início do tratamento (r=0,561; p=0,024). O escore foi ainda correlacionado com valores de volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e capacidade vital forçada (CVF) obtidos por espirometria de 13/16 pacientes, com correlação negativa com VEF1 pré- (r=-0,778; p=0,002) e pós-broncodilatador (r=-0,837; p<0,001) e CVF (r=-0,773; p=0,002). Conclusão: complicações pulmonares foram frequentes nesta coorte, apesar da diminuição na frequência de pneumonias com o tratamento. A investigação precoce de pacientes com infecções de repetição para imunodeficiências primárias pode reduzir a frequência dessas complicações. A monitorização de alterações na espirometria pode indicar a necessidade de investigação radiológica.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with primary immunodeficiencies: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of a tertiary care hospital with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with primary immunodeficiencies. METHODS: Seven pediatric patients with primary immunodeficiencies (severe combined immunodeficiency: n = 2; combined immunodeficiency: n = 1; chronic granulomatous disease: n = 1; hyper-IgM syndrome: n = 2; and IPEX syndrome: n = 1) who underwent eight hematopoietic stem cell transplants in a single center, from 2007 to 2010, were studied. RESULTS: Two patients received transplants from HLA-identical siblings; the other six transplants were done with unrelated donors (bone marrow: n = 1; cord blood: n = 5). All patients had pre-existing infections before hematopoietic stem cell transplants. One patient received only anti-thymocyte globulin prior to transplant, three transplants were done with reduced intensity conditioning regimens and four transplants were done after myeloablative therapy. Two patients were not evaluated for engraftment due to early death. Three patients engrafted, two had primary graft failure and one received a second transplant with posterior engraftment. Two patients died of regimen related toxicity (hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome); one patient died of progressive respiratory failure due to Parainfluenza infection present prior to transplant. Four patients are alive and well from 60 days to 14 months after transplant. CONCLUSION: Patients' status prior to transplant is the most important risk factor on the outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplants in the treatment of these diseases. Early diagnosis and the possibility of a faster referral of these patients for treatment in reference centers may substantially improve their survival and quality of life.

Immunogenicity of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in HIV-infected pregnant women and kinetics of passively acquired antibodies in young infants.

Whether gestational immunization of HIV-infected mothers with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) confers maternal and infant early life, passive protection is not known. We evaluated safety, immunogenicity and placental transfer of antibodies in 44 HIV-infected women. Pneumococcal IgG antibodies against serotypes 1, 3, 5, 6B, 9V, and 14 were measured in mothers (pre-vaccination and at delivery), and infants (at birth, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months). PPV was safe and immunogenic in mothers. Newborns received 46-72% of maternal antibody titers. Overall, infants had antibody levels lower than protective by 2 months of age. Alternative pneumococcal vaccination of HIV-infected pregnant women should be explored with the aim of prolonging passive protection in their infants.