A hidden burden of disease in a specific group: Evaluation of COVID-19 seroconversion rates in pediatric patients with leukemia.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2, a respiratory viral disease, is thought to have a more severe course in patients with malignancy and low immune systems. METHODS: This prospective single-center study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences Dr Behçet Uz Children's Hospital from September 22 to December 31, 2021. Asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission rates were assessed using SARS-CoV-2 serology in patients with leukemia who had no history of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Among the 54 patients, 19 (35.2%) were females and 35 (64.8%) were males. The median age was 5.5 years (min 6 months, max 17 years). Forty-nine (90.5%) of the leukemia patients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, while 5 (9.5%) had acute myeloid leukemia. Five of the 54 patients had a history of COVID-19 or contact with a positive person. SARS-CoV-2 IgG positivity was detected in 18 (36.7%) of 49 patients with no history of COVID-19 infection. DISCUSSION: Leukemia patients have a high seroconversion for SARS-CoV-2 without showing any symptoms supporting the asymptomatic course of COVID-19 infection in this risk group. CONCLUSION: As a result, patients with leukemia may have a high rate of COVID-19 seroconversion without showing symptoms.

The evaluation of Candida-related central line-related bloodstream infections in pediatric cancer patients: A pre- and post-intervention study.

Aim/Objections: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a central line maintenance bundle in preventing catheter-related (implanted venous access devices, port) Candida bloodstream infections. Methods: The study encompassed two distinct time periods, namely, pre-bundle and bundle. The number of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) episodes per catheter days for each timeframe was determined. Findings/Results: Upon implementation of the central line bundle, the rate of CRBSI reduced significantly from 4.27 per 1000 central line days in the pre-bundle period to 1.0 per 1000 central line days in the bundle period (p < .001). Discussion: Using a central line bundle to avoid CRBSIs in pediatric cancer patients with ports led to a significant decrease in Candida species-related CRBSIs.

A Neonatal Case of Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis Presenting with Thrombocytopenia and Hypotonicity: A Novel Mutation in Chloride Voltage-Gated Channel 7 Gene.

Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis is also known as infantile malignant osteopetrosis (IMO). The clinical course is often serious and if left untreated, it is fatal in the 1st year of life. Diagnosis is challenging and often delayed or misdiagnosed. Herein, we present an infant girl who was diagnosed with IMO during evaluations for her hypotonicity and thrombocytopenia. A novel mutation of the chloride voltage-gated channel 7 (CLCN7) gene was also reported. A 10-day-old female patient was referred to our hospital for evaluation of hypotonicity. Her physical examination was normal, other than hypotonicity. Laboratory analysis revealed thrombocytopenia and hypocalcemia. In the progress, while she was followed in outpatient clinic, hepatosplenomegaly was detected at the age of 3 months. IMO was suspected with the findings of hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, hypocalcemia, difficulty of obtaining bone marrow, peripheral smear findings, and hearing loss. The X-ray of the bones was consistent with IMO. A novel pathogenic homozygous c.1504>T (p.Arg502Trp) mutation in CLCN7 gene was revealed. IMO is a rare disorder and it is important to differentiate this entity for better clinical outcome. The presence of neurological and hematological findings, organomegaly, hearing loss, and vision disorders must attract attention to IMO.