Infections and risk factors for infection-related mortality after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Mexico: A single center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the type of infections and risk factors for infection-related mortality (IRM) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients <16 years of age treated in 2010-2019 was conducted. Unadjusted hazard ratios (HR) and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Cox regression. Cumulative incidence was calculated. RESULTS: Data for 99 pediatric patients were analyzed. The myeloablative conditioning was the most used regimen (78.8%) and the hematopoietic stem cell source was predominantly peripheral blood (80.8%). Primary graft failure occurred in 19.2% of patients. Frequency of acute graft-versus-host disease was 46.5%. Total of 136 infectious events was recorded, the most common of which were bacterial (76.4%) followed by viral infection (15.5%) and then fungal infection (8.1%). The best predictors for infection subtypes where the following: a) for bacterial infection (the age groups of 10.1-15 years: aHR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.62-6.85 and. >15 years: aHR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.18-9.45); b) for viral infection (graft versus host disease: aHR = 5.36; 95% CI: 1.62-17.68), however, for fungal infection statistically significant predictors were not identified. Related mortality was 30% (n = 12). Increased risk for infection-related mortality was observed in patients with unrelated donor and umbilical cord stem cells recipients (HR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.00-9.85). CONCLUSIONS: Frequencies of infections and infection-related mortality appear to be similar to those reported. Unrelated donors and stem cells from umbilical cord recipients were associated with a high risk of mortality.

Survival of Mexican Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia under Treatment with the Protocol from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 00-01.

Our aim in this paper is to describe the results of treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in Mexican children treated from 2006 to 2010 under the protocol from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) 00-01. The children were younger than 16 years of age and had a diagnosis of ALL de novo. The patients were classified as standard risk if they were 1-9.9 years old and had a leucocyte count <50 × 10(9)/L, precursor B cell immunophenotype, no mediastinal mass, CSF free of blasts, and a good response to prednisone. The rest of the patients were defined as high risk. Of a total of 302 children, 51.7% were at high risk. The global survival rate was 63.9%, and the event-free survival rate was 52.3% after an average follow-up of 3.9 years. The percentages of patients who died were 7% on induction and 14.2% in complete remission; death was associated mainly with infection (21.5%). The relapse rate was 26.2%. The main factor associated with the occurrence of an event was a leucocyte count >100 × 10(9)/L. The poor outcomes were associated with toxic death during induction, complete remission, and relapse. These factors remain the main obstacles to the success of this treatment in our population.

Survival of Mexican children with acute myeloid leukaemia who received early intensification chemotherapy and an autologous transplant.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico and other developing countries, few reports of the survival of children with acute leukaemia exist. Objective. We aimed at comparing the disease-free survival of children with acute myeloid leukaemia who, in addition to being treated with the Latin American protocol of chemotherapy and an autologous transplant, either underwent early intensified chemotherapy or did not undergo such treatment. PROCEDURE: This was a cohort study with a historical control group, forty patients, less than 16 years old. Group A (20 patients), diagnosed in the period 2005-2007, was treated with the Latin American protocol of chemotherapy with an autologous transplant plus early intensified chemotherapy: high doses of cytarabine and mitoxantrone. Group B (20 patients), diagnosed in the period 1999-2004, was treated as Group A, but without the early intensified chemotherapy. RESULTS: Relapse-free survival for Group A was 90% whereas that for Group B it was 60% (P = 0.041). Overall survival for Group A (18, 90%) was higher than that for Group B (60%). Complete remission continued for two years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Relapse-free survival for paediatric patients treated with the Latin American protocol of chemotherapy with an autologous transplant plus early intensified chemotherapy was higher than that for those who did not receive early intensified chemotherapy.

[Hemophilia camps.] / Campamentos para pacientes con hemofilia.

We reported the experience of hemophilia camps which was accomplished with patients from hospitals of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. The aim was to prepare the families and patients regarding the disease treatment, in order to promote the self sufficiency and to know the impact of the program on the course of the disease. Surveys were applied about treatment items and personal opinions were collected. The results of the national hemophilia camp were: group of 56 patients, average 14 years, 2 % women, 51 % severe hemophilia and 43 % had hemophilic brothers. Benefits: patients increased their knowledge about earlier bleeding identification and the self-infusion method; they became aware on their responsibility in self care, timely treatment and duties at home. Hemophilia camps with patients are an option for attitude change before disease complications. Social network creation and the increase in self-sufficiency are other benefits.

Se informa la experiencia con los campamentos de hemofilia que incluyen a pacientes de un hospital del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social en la Ciudad de México y de otros hospitales en el país, realizados con el objetivo de capacitar a los enfermos y a sus familiares en los cuidados de la enfermedad y de promover la autosuficiencia. Se aplicaron cuestionarios sobre los temas tratados y se recabaron las opiniones personales. De la experiencia con el primer campamento nacional de hemofilia se observó que en el grupo de 56 pacientes (promedio de edad de 14 años, 2 % mujeres, 51 % con hemofilia severa, 43 % con hermanos con hemofilia) se incrementaron los conocimientos en la identificación de los sangrados y la técnica de autoinfusión. De igual forma, los pacientes se concientizaron acerca de su responsabilidad en el autocuidado, el tratamiento oportuno y los deberes en el hogar. De tal forma, se señala que los campamentos son una opción para el cambio de actitud ante la enfermedad, para crear redes sociales y favorecer la autosuficiencia.

Treatment with interferon-alpha-2b in children with life-threatening hemangiomas.

BACKGROUND: Childhood hemangiomas are benign tumors of endothelial cells, characterized by a rapidly proliferating initial phase and followed by a slow involution. However, some grow and may reach a massive size, threatening a patient's functions or life. These require immediate medical treatment. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of interferon (IFN)-alpha-2b in children with hemangiomas threatening the patient's functions or life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were treated with IFN-alpha-2b at a dosage of 3 million U/m(2) corporal surface, applied subcutaneously, 5 days a week for the first 6 months and subsequently three times a week for 6 to 24 months. RESULTS The study included 20 patients with hemangiomas localized in different sites and with diverse functional alterations: ages varied between 3 and 48 months (median, 12.8 months), and 8 were male and 12 female. An excellent response was observed in 17 (85%) patients. Side effects were slight and transitory; there was a follow-up from 7 to 10 years, and no late toxicity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that IFN-alpha-2b is an effective option for treating alarming hemangiomas that are resistant to steroids and that endanger proper functioning of the affected organ or the patient's life.

Incidence of aplastic anemia in a defined subpopulation from Mexico City.

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a hematological disease characterized by the deficient production of blood cells. The incidence of AA worldwide is low (1-5 new cases per 10(6) individuals per year). In contrast to other countries, no current reports exist on the incidence of this disorder in Mexico. In the present study, we have determined the incidence of AA in a defined subpopulation from Mexico City during the period 1996-2000. For the purpose of this study, we focused on the experience from a single medical institution: the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), which covers around 50% of Mexico's population. The incidence of AA was determined based on the actual number of patients diagnosed with this disease at the IMSS in Mexico City in a given year and the total number of individuals registered at the IMSS in Mexico City in the same year. Considering the IMSS population as a whole, the annual incidence of AA was 3.9 new cases per 10(6) individuals per year. In the pediatric population, the annual incidence was 4.2 new cases per 10(6) individuals per year, whereas in people 15-years-old and older the incidence was 3.8 new cases per 10(6) individuals per year. These incidences were higher than those reported in most studies from the USA, Europe and Israel. Compared to the incidence in Thailand, the incidence we observed in children was considerably higher, whereas the one in adults was similar to the one in that country. The results of the present study suggest that the incidence of AA in Mexico City is one of the highest worldwide, particularly in terms of the pediatric population; however, these results must be taken with caution since this study comprises only a subpopulation from Mexico City and not the entire population. Thus, further studies including a broader population, both in Mexico City and other urban and rural areas of this country, will be necessary in order to obtain better and more complete estimates of the actual incidence of AA in Mexico.

Alteraciones de la coagulación sanguínea en el lactante con desnutrición grave sin manifestaciones de sangrado ni infección

Se estudiaron 48 lactantes con desnutrición severa de tipo marasmático sin manifestaciones de sangrado ni infección con el objeto de investigar las alteraciones de la coagulación sanguínea en este tipo de pacientes. Todos cursaron con más de una alteración en las pruebas de coagulación. Las pruebas más alteradas con significacia estadística al compararse con 40 niños eutróficos fueron la prolongada del tiempo de protrombina y del tiempo de trombina (p <0.01). La prueba de coagulación por estafilococo resultó positiva en 15 niños, sin haberse documentado coagulación intravascular diseminada. En los niños menores de seis meses de edad la antitrombina III (ATIII) por el método funcional se encontró disminuida en forma significativa (p <0.01). Algunos de los niños con disminución de ATIII y con pruebas de coagulación por estafilococo positiva cursaron con otras alteraciones en las pruebas de coagulación (factores VIII, V, fibrinógeno y plaquetas aumentadas), lo que les confiere a estos pacientes un alto riesgo de cursa con trombosis o coagulopatía por consumo, ante la presencia de un factor desencadenante como procesos infecciosos sistémicos y/o estado de choque