Adherence and immune response to revaccination following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at a pediatric onco-hematology reference center.

BACKGROUND: Revaccination after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is necessary to compensate for the loss of immunological memory. The aims of this study were to evaluate the adherence to revaccination schedule and the humoral immune response to different vaccine antigens in HSCT pediatric and young adult patients. METHODS: Patients submitted to HSCT for over 3 years were recruited. After written informed consent, a questionnaire was filled in, the vaccination card was analyzed, a blood sample was collected and tested by ELISA for diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, measles, rubella, and varicella antibodies. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (mean age at HSCT, 10.7 years) were evaluated. Forty-one (65%) were male; 34 (54%) had allogeneic and 29 (46%), autologous HSCT. Complete adherence to diphtheria revaccination was found in 79.4% patients and seropositivity was found in 92% of those who completed the revaccination schedule; for Hib, 68.3% adherence and 95.3% seropositivity were observed; for hepatitis A, 63.5% adherence and 92.5% seropositivity; for 3 doses of hepatitis B, 86.8% adherence and 79.2% seropositivity; for tetanus, 79.4% adherence and 100% seropositivity; for measles and rubella, 17.5% adherence and 100% seropositivity; for varicella, 7.9% adherence and 100% seropositivity. The existence of a Vaccination Center for Special Immunobiologicals in patients' municipality was positively associated with completed vaccine schedule; on the other hand, chronic GVHD was negatively associated with revaccination adherence. CONCLUSION: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients showed good seropositivity rates after complete vaccination schedule. However, a low coverage rate was observed for live attenuated antigens.

Rapid, low-cost MR imaging protocol to document central nervous system and sinus abnormalities prior to pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Patients undergoing bone marrow transplant (BMT) are at risk for infectious complications, including those of the sinus. Central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities related to the chemotherapy or radiation that the patient received for the treatment of underlying malignancy or to transplant-related effects are also commonly seen. The only effective way to differentiate pre- and post-transplant causes is to have a baseline evaluation prior to the admission for transplant. The current method used to evaluate these patients is head CT. However, CT is not accurate to demonstrate CNS abnormalities and exposes the patient to radiation. MRI, despite better sensitivity for white matter abnormalities, has not been routinely used because of the higher cost and longer duration of the exam. Therefore, we designed a fast, low-cost and radiation-free MRI-based protocol to simultaneously evaluate sinus and brain abnormalities.

Indicações de transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas em pediatria: consenso apresentado no I Encontro de Diretrizes Brasileiras em Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas - Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea, Rio de Janeiro, 2009 / Indications for pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: consensus presented at the First Meeting on Brazilian Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Guidelines - Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rio de Janeiro, 2009

A Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula (SBTMO) promoveu o I Encontro de Diretrizes do Transplante de Medula Óssea em 2009. Para revisão das indicações de transplante em Pediatria baseadas em evidências foi constituído grupo de trabalho com oncologistas e hematologistas com experiência em pediatria. Os artigos científicos foram cuidadosamente avaliados e, para cada doença, foram definidas as evidências para recomendação dos transplantes (de A a C) e a qualidade destas evidências (de 1 a 3). As recomendações incluem doenças hematológicas malignas e não malignas, tumores sólidos, imunodeficiências e doenças de depósito tratadas com transplantes de células-tronco hematopoéticas, quer autólogos, alogênicos de irmão HLA compatível ou não aparentados (doadores adultos ou sangue de cordão umbilical). Como não existem recomendações uniformemente aceitas em pediatria, não foram incluídas recomendações para transplantes de intensidade reduzida, com manipulação do enxerto e nem parcialmente compatíveis. É importante ressaltar que todas as indicações são baseadas no conhecimento atual e podem modificar-se com o tempo. Assim, esta revisão não deve ser utilizada para aplicação direta no cuidado do paciente sem levar em conta características da doença, do doador e fatores de risco do próprio paciente. Este trabalho não deve ainda ser utilizado como documento que limite o acesso do paciente ao transplante adequadamente indicado. Ressaltamos ainda, nesta revisão, diferenças entre transplantes em crianças e em adultos, com algumas recomendações específicas para os transplantes em pediatria.

The Brazilian Bone Marrow Transplant Society (SBTMO) held its First Meeting on Bone Marrow Transplant Guidelines in 2009. A working group of hematologists and oncologists with experience in pediatrics was formed to review evidence-based indications for pediatric transplants. Scientific publications were carefully assessed and, for each disease, the evidence for recommendation (from A to C) and the quality of the evidence (from 1 to 3) were defined. The recommendations include malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases, solid tumors, immunodeficiency, and storage diseases treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplants: either autologous or allogeneic from matched sibling donors or unrelated donors (adults or umbilical cord blood). Guidelines for reduced-intensity transplants, manipulated grafts or partially compatible donors were not included as there are no uniformly accepted recommendations. All indications are based on the best current knowledge which may change over time. Thus, this review should not be directly applied to patient care without taking into account the disease, donor and patient characteristics. Additionally, this paper should not be used as a document to limit patient access to transplant if correctly indicated. In this review we also point out differences between transplantation in adults and children and make some specific recommendations for pediatric transplants.