Infectious complications following allogeneic HLA-identical sibling transplantation with antithymocyte globulin-based reduced intensity preparative regimen

Leukemia. 2003 Nov;17(11):2168-77. doi: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403105.

Abstract

In the setting of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), the epidemiology of transplant-related infections is still poorly defined. In 101 high-risk patients who received an HLA-identical sibling allo-SCT after RIC, including fludarabine, busulfan and antithymocyte globulin (ATG), we report during the first 6 months a cumulative incidence of positive CMV antigenemia of 42% (95% CI 32-52%), developing at a median of 37 (range 7-116) days without evidence of CMV disease (median follow-up, 434 days). The cumulative incidence of bacteremia was 25% (95% CI 17-33%), occurring at a median of 67 (range 7-172) days, while patients had recovered a full neutrophil count. In all, 65% of the bacteremia (95% CI 49-81%) were gram negative. The cumulative incidence of fungal infections was 8% (95% CI 3-13%), with a median onset of 89 (range 7-170) days. In multivariate analysis, stem cell source (bone marrow; P=0.0002) was significantly associated with the risk of positive CMV antigenemia, while higher doses of prednisone (>2 mg/kg) represented the major risk factor for bacteremia (P=0.0001). Infectious-related mortality was 5% (95% CI 1-9%), with aspergillosis being the principal cause. Collectively, these results suggest that prospective efforts are warranted to develop optimal antimicrobial preventive strategies after RIC allo-SCT.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia / mortality
  • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
  • Bacterial Infections / etiology*
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Graft Rejection / epidemiology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / epidemiology
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Siblings*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / mortality
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects*
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
  • Virus Diseases / etiology*

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ganciclovir