Characteristics and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 and hematological diseases in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

The Japanese Society of Hematology performed an observational cross-sectional study to clarify the morbidity, prognosis, and prognostic factors in patients with COVID-19 with hematological diseases (HDs) in Japan. The study included patients with HDs who enrolled in our epidemiological survey and had a COVID-19 diagnosis and a verified outcome of up to 2 months. The primary endpoints were characteristics and short-term prognosis of COVID-19 in patients with HDs. A total of 367 patients from 68 institutes were enrolled over 1 year, and the collected data were analyzed. The median follow-up among survivors was 73 days (range, 1-639 days). The 60-day overall survival (OS) rate was 86.6%. In the multivariate analysis, albumin ≤ 3.3 g/dL and a need for oxygen were independently associated with inferior 60-day OS rates (hazard ratio [HR] 4.026, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.954-8.294 and HR 14.55, 95% CI 3.378-62.64, respectively), whereas 60-day survival was significantly greater in patients with benign rather than malignant disease (HR 0.095, 95% CI 0.012-0.750). Together, these data suggest that intensive treatment may be necessary for patients with COVID-19 with malignant HDs who have low albumin levels and require oxygen at the time of diagnosis.

The real-life management of glucose homeostasis abnormalities in pediatric onco-hematological diseases: data from a national survey.

Glycemic abnormalities are a frequent finding in pediatric oncological patients, both during treatment and after its discontinuation. Moreover, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are not rarely diagnosed in non-oncological hematological diseases. To explore the current pediatric Italian approach to the diagnosis and the management of the glycemic alterations in this clinical setting and, thus, to identify and enforce current clinical needs, we submitted an online 23-items survey to all the Italian Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) centers, and surveys were descriptively analyzed. Thirty-nine AIEOP centers were involved in the study. In 2021, among 75278 children and adolescents affected by an oncological or a hematological disease, 1.2 and 0.65% developed DM, while IGT or IFG were widespread in 2.3 and 2.8%, respectively. The main causes of DM were the use of corticosteroids in patients with cancer and the iron overload in patients with thalassemia. Venous fasting plasma glycemia was the most used tool to detect glycemic abnormalities. The performance of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was extremely limited, except when IFG occurred. Despite the diagnosis of DM, ∼45% of patients with cancer and 30% of patients with one hematological disease did not receive an appropriate treatment. In the other cases, insulin was the drug of first choice. Emerging technologies for diabetes care (glucose sensors and insulin pumps) are not largely used yet. The results of our study support the standardization of the care of the glycemic abnormalities during or after onco-hematologic diseases in the pediatric age. Despite the scarce data in pediatric literature, proper guidelines are needed.

Craniosynostosis in molecularly diagnosed Kabuki syndrome: Prevalence and clinical implications.

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is characterized by growth impairment, psychomotor delay, congenital heart disease, and distinctive facial features. KMT2D and KDM6A have been identified as the causative genes of KS. Craniosynostosis (CS) has been reported in individuals with KS; however, its prevalence and clinical implications remain unclear. In this retrospective study, we investigated the occurrence of CS in individuals with genetically diagnosed KS and examined its clinical significance. Among 42 individuals with genetically diagnosed KS, 21 (50%) exhibited CS, with 10 individuals requiring cranioplasty. No significant differences were observed based on sex, causative gene, and molecular consequence among individuals with KS who exhibited CS. Both individuals who underwent evaluation with three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) and those who required surgery tended to exhibit cranial dysmorphology. Notably, in several individuals, CS was diagnosed before KS, suggesting that CS could be one of the clinical features by which clinicians can diagnose KS. This study highlights that CS is one of the noteworthy complications in KS, emphasizing the importance of monitoring cranial deformities in the health management of individuals with KS. The findings suggest that in individuals where CS is a concern, conducting 3DCT evaluations for CS and digital impressions are crucial.

[Incidence and clinical characteristics of engraftment syndrome after syngeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hematological diseases].

Objective: To explore the incidence and clinical characteristics of engraftment syndrome (ES) after syngeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (syn-HSCT) in patients with hematological diseases. Methods: The clinical data of 21 patients who received syn-HSCT at People's Hospital of Peking University from January 1994 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Seven (33.3% ) of 21 patients developed ES. The onset of ES symptoms occurred at a median of 8 (range: 5-13) days after HSCT, and the diagnosis of ES occurred at a median of 10 (range: 7-14) days after HSCT. Steroids were administered immediately after the diagnosis of ES, the median time of symptom continuance was 2 (range: 1-5) days, and all patients showed complete resolution of ES symptoms. In the multivariate analysis, patients with acute myeloid leukemia and faster neutrophil reconstitution were the risk factors for ES (HR=15.298, 95% CI 1.486-157.501, P=0.022, and HR=17.459, 95% CI 1.776-171.687, P=0.014) . Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the overall survival and disease-free survival between patients with ES and those without ES. Conclusion: A high incidence of ES was observed in syn-HSCT recipients. Moreover, the prognosis of ES was excellent.

[Seroprevalence of the specific antibody against Toxoplasma gondii among patients with hematological diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients with hematological diseases, so as to provide insights into improving the prognosis and quality of life among patients with hematological diseases. METHODS: A total of 240 patients with hematological diseases (including 170 patients with hematological tumors and 70 patients with non-tumor hematological diseases) admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University during the period from January 1, 2021 through October 10, 2023 and 500 healthy volunteers in the hospital during the same period were enrolled. Subjects' demographics and serum samples were collected, and serum specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the chemiluminescence assay, with any of a positive IgG or IgM antibody defined as a positive T. gondii infection. The seroprevalence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii was compared between patients with hematological diseases and healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The mean age (F = 2.034, P > 0.05) and gender distribution (χ2 = 0.462, P > 0.05) were comparable among patients with hematological tumors, patients with non-tumor hematological diseases and healthy volunteers, and there was no significant difference in the proportion of history of cat or dog contacts between patients with hematological diseases and healthy volunteers (χ2 = 0, P > 0.05). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody was significantly higher among patients with hematological diseases than among healthy volunteers (15.8% vs. 0.6%; χ2 = 71.902, P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody among patients with hematological tumors (18.2%), patients with non-tumor hematological diseases (10.0%) and healthy volunteers (χ2 = 78.327, P < 0.01). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody was significantly higher among patients with hematological tumors and non-tumor hematological diseases than among healthy volunteers (both P values < 0.05), while no significant difference was seen in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody between patients with hematological tumors and non-tumor hematological diseases (P > 0.05). In addition, the proportion of history of cat or dog contacts was significantly higher among patients with hematological diseases that were positive for serum anti-T. gondii anti-body than among those negative for serum anti-T. gondii antibody (21.1% vs. 5.4%; χ2 = 8.653, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high seroprevalene rate of T. gondii infections among hematological diseases, which is significantly greater than that among healthy volunteers.

Haematopoietic cytopenia associated with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors: A real-world study of data from the food and drug administration adverse event reporting system database.

OBJECTIVE: The haematopoietic cytopenia (HC) of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitors was evaluated using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). METHOD: Data from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2021 has been retrieved from the FAERS database. Disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis were utilized in the data mining. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for HC was calculated for each CDK 4/6 inhibitor agent. Clinical features of the patients were collected and compared between death outcome and non-death outcome groups. Time to onset (TTO), proportion of deaths, life-threatening and hospitalizations of CDK 4/6 inhibitors-associated HC were also studied. RESULTS: A total of 17,235 cases of HC associated with CDK 4/6 inhibitors were identified with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range [IQR] 57-73). Palbociclib appeared the strongest signal, with the highest (ROR 9.64, 95% CI 9.46-9.83), followed by ribociclib (ROR 6.38, 95% CI 6.04-6.73) and then abemaciclib (ROR 2.72, 95% CI 2.49-2.97). Patients aged 18-64 had a higher proportion of deaths than those aged 65-84 (12.21% vs. 9.91%, p = 0.001). In Africa and Asia, the proportions of deaths were higher (31.65% and 26.13%, respectively). The median TTO was 26 days (IQR 14-65) for abemaciclib, 33 days (IQR 15-134) for palbociclib and 23 days (IQR 14-69) for ribociclib, respectively. The highest proportion of deaths, life-threatening and hospitalizations all occurred in abemaciclib (13.00%, 5.42% and 44.04%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Greater proportions of deaths occurred in Africa and Asia. HC may occur early in any CDK 4/6 inhibitor regimen. Abemaciclib had the highest proportion of deaths, life-threatening and hospitalizations. Health care workers should be more concerned about CDK 4/6 inhibitors. The higher proportions of serious events, including deaths, from Africa and Asia, as well as for abemaciclib, deserve further investigations through additional pharmacoepidemiological approaches.

Hematological hypereosinophilia / Hyperéosinophilies hématologiques

Introduction: Hematological disorders are the third cause of hypereosinophilia, after allergic and parasitic disease. The objective of our study is to show the epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic characteristics of hematological hypereosinophilia. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study over a 4-year period (March 2017-March 2021) concerning 14 patients with hematological hypereosinophilia. Results: Fourteen patients were included (9 women and 5 men). The median age at diagnosis was 55 years. Hematological hypereosinophilia was mainly of clonal etiology. Clinical manifestations were either specific to hypereosinophilia, such as organ damage, or related to the etiology of hypereosinophilia, such as hepato-splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Moderate and severe forms were the most commonly reported. Several other quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of the blood picture were reported. Identification of the FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion gene by molecular biology (RT-PCR) was positive in two patients. Imatinib was the main treatment for clonal forms. Conclusion: Hematological hypereosinophilia is a rare and complex pathology. Our study has confirmed this epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic heterogeneity and has enabled us to realize the contribution of molecular biology in the diagnosis and the treatment of hypereosinophilia.

Introduction: Les affections hématologiques représentent la troisième cause des hyper éosinophilies. L'objectif de notre travail est d'étudier les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, étiologiques, cliniques, biologiques et thérapeutiques des hyperéosinophilies hématologiques. Patients et méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective menée sur une période de 4 années (mars 2017-mars 2021). Cette étude a colligé 14 patients atteints d'hyperéosinophilie hématologique. Résultats: Quatorze patients ont été inclus (9 femmes et 5 hommes). L'âge médian au moment du diagnostic était de 55 ans. L'hyperéosinophilie hématologique était principalement d'étiologie clonale. Les manifestations cliniques étaient soit spécifiques à l'hyperéosinophilie telles que les atteintes d'organes, soit liées à l'étiologie de l'hyperéosinophilie telles que l'hépato-splénomégalie et les adénopathies. Les formes modérées et sévères étaient les plus fréquemment rapportées. Plusieurs autres anomalies quantitatives et qualitatives de l'hémogramme ont été rapportées. L'identification du gène de fusion FIP1L1-PDGFRA par biologie moléculaire (RT-PCR) était positive chez deux patients. L'imatinib était le traitement de choix des formes clonales. Conclusion: L'hyperéosinophilie hématologique est une pathologie rare et complexe. Notre étude a permis de confirmer cette hétérogénéité épidémiologique, étiologique, clinique, biologique et thérapeutique et de montrer l'apport de la biologie moléculaire dans le diagnostic et le traitement de cette pathologie.

Anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG in COVID-19 Patients with Hematological Diseases: A Single-center, Retrospective Study in Japan.

Objective Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread globally. Although the relationship between anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and COVID-19 severity has been reported, information is lacking regarding the seropositivity of patients with particular types of diseases, including hematological diseases. Methods In this single-center, retrospective study, we compared SARS-CoV-2 IgG positivity between patients with hematological diseases and those with non-hematological diseases. Results In total, 77 adult COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Of these, 30 had hematological disorders, and 47 had non-hematological disorders. The IgG antibody against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein was detected less frequently in patients with hematological diseases (60.0%) than in those with non-hematological diseases (91.5%; p=0.029). Rituximab use was significantly associated with seronegativity (p=0.010). Conclusion Patients with hematological diseases are less likely to develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than those with non-hematological diseases, which may explain the poor outcomes of COVID-19 patients in this high-risk group.

Imaging of Hematological Patients in the Era of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulted in changes in management and imaging routines for patients with hematological malignancies. Treating physicians had to familiarize themselves with a new disease, with distinct imaging manifestations, sometimes overlapping with other infections prevalent in this patient population. In some aspects, infected hematological patients might exhibit a different disease course, and routine imaging in asymptomatic hematological patients may result in unexpected COVID-19 findings, implying covert infection, that should be further explored. Furthermore, some complications of hematological diseases and treatments may present with findings similar to COVID-19 manifestations, and treating physicians must consider both possibilities in the differential diagnosis. In this review, we aimed to present the influence the COVID-19 pandemic had on hematological malignancy imaging.

[HHV-8 Related immunological and hematological diseases]. / Maladies immunologiques et hématologiques liées à HHV-8.

HHV-8 is an oncogenic Gammaherpesvirinae discovered in 1994 during the HIV pandemic. It is the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, and is also associated with the occurrence of several aggressive B lymphoproliferative disorders. Most of them occur in an immunosuppression setting, usually due to HIV infection. Multicentric HHV8-associated Castleman's disease and KSHV Inflammatory Cytokine Syndrome (KICS) are primarily reactive entities with prominent systemic features. They illustrate the cytokinic storm induced by HHV-8 in its cell host. On the other hand, HHV-8 can drive proliferation and lymphomagenesis of its plasmablastic cell host, and is associated with a risk to develop aggressive lymphomas with plasmacytic differenciation. Primary effusion lymphoma usually localizes in body cavities and may affect other extra-nodal sites ; its prognostic is poor. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma HHV-8, NOS affect more commonly nodes and blood and evolve from infected cell of HHV-8 associated Castleman disease. On the contrary, germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorders presents mainly as localized adenopathy with indolent course, and show polyclonality. Histology plays a key role in distinguishing these different entities and need expert reviewing, especially since they may be associated with each other. Besides lymphoproliferative disorders, HHV8 is associated with various hematological manifestations. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the presentation, diagnosis, and management of immunologic and hematologic complications associated with HHV-8.

KSHV/HHV8-mediated hematologic diseases.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8, is the causal agent of KS but is also pathogenetically related to several lymphoproliferative disorders, including primary effusion lymphoma (PEL)/extracavitary (EC) PEL, KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), KSHV+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder. These different KSHV-associated diseases may co-occur and may have overlapping features. KSHV, similar to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is a lymphotropic gammaherpesvirus that is preferentially present in abnormal lymphoid proliferations occurring in immunecompromised individuals. Notably, both KSHV and EBV can infect and transform the same B cell, which is frequently seen in KSHV+ EBV+ PEL/EC-PEL. The mechanisms by which KSHV leads to lymphoproliferative disorders is thought to be related to the expression of a few transforming viral genes that can affect cellular proliferation and survival. There are critical differences between KSHV-MCD and PEL/EC-PEL, the 2 most common KSHV-associated lymphoid proliferations, including viral associations, patterns of viral gene expression, and cellular differentiation stage reflected by the phenotype and genotype of the infected abnormal B cells. Advances in treatment have improved outcomes, but mortality rates remain high. Our deepening understanding of KSHV biology, clinical features of KSHV-associated diseases, and newer clinical interventions should lead to improved and increasingly targeted therapeutic interventions.

Clinical heterogeneity of Kabuki syndrome in a cohort of Italian patients and review of the literature.

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a well-recognized disorder characterized by postnatal growth deficiency, dysmorphic facial features, skeletal anomalies, and intellectual disability. The syndrome is caused by KMT2D gene mutations or less frequently KDM6A gene mutations or deletions. We report a systematic evaluation of KS patients from Campania region of Italy; data were also compared with literature ones. We collected data of 15 subjects (8 males and 7 females with age range 10-26 years; mean age 16.9 years) with confirmed diagnosis of KS, representing the entire cohort of patients from Campania Region. Each patient performed biochemical testing and instrumental investigation. Neuro-intellectual development, cranio-facial dysmorphisms, and multisystem involvement data were collected retrospectively. For each category, type of defects and frequency of the anomalies were analyzed. Our observation shows that KS patients from Campania region have some particular and previously underscored, neurological and immunological findings. We found high prevalence of EEG's abnormalities (43%) and MRI brain abnormalities (60%). Microcephaly resulted more common in our series (33%), if compared with major cohorts described in literature. Biochemical features of immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases including thyroid autoimmunity, polyserositis, and vitiligo were observed with high prevalence (54.5%). Low immunoglobulins levels were a frequent finding. Lymphocyte class investigation showed significantly reduced CD8 levels in one patient.Conclusions: These data confirm great heterogeneity of clinical manifestations in KS and suggest to introduce further clinical diagnostic criteria in order to perform a correct and precocious diagnosis. What is Known • Kabuki syndrome is characterized by growth deficiency, dysmorphic facial features, skeletal anomalies, and intellectual disability • Immune dysfunction is a common finding but autoimmune diseases are rarely seen • Neurological features are common What is New • Some particular facial features could help gestalt diagnosis (hypertelorism, broad nasal bridge, micrognathia, tooth agenesis, cutaneous haemangiomas and strabismus) • Higher prevalence of autoimmune disorders than previously reported • Particular neurological features are present in this cohort (EEG and MRI brain abnormalities).

A nationwide population-based study on therapeutic plasma exchange for 10 years in Korea using Health Insurance Review and Assessment database.

INTRODUCTION: Indications for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) have expanded over the years, and the number of procedures is expected to have been increased. Apheresis registries can be difficult to sustain due to workload and privacy issues. This study aimed to analyze national claims data to characterize the use of TPE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent TPE were retrospectively identified between January 2008 and December 2017 from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Data of patients' characteristics, primary diagnosis, hospitalization, treatment, and procedures were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 9944 patients underwent 62 606 TPE procedures. The median number of TPE procedures performed per patient was 5 (interquartile range, 3-7). Fresh frozen plasma (71.4%) was most commonly used as the replacement fluid. The most common indication was renal diseases (36.8%), followed by hepato-biliary (17.6%) and hematological (15.2%) diseases. Increased frequency of renal diseases was the most remarkable change, which increased from 529 (21.2%) procedures in 2008 to 4107 (44.5%) procedures in 2017, reflecting the widespread implementation of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation. The top five hospitals conducted 59.6% of the procedures, which showed a centralized distribution. CONCLUSIONS: The most common indication was renal diseases. The number of TPE procedures performed annually increased by approximately 3.7 times from 2008 to 2017. This study shows that other than a registry, claims data can be successfully used to analyze various aspects of TPE procedures on a nationwide scale. This approach could be used by other countries, especially those that have national health insurance.