Cryptosporidiosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on maintenance chemotherapy

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2011 Oct;33(7):570-2. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e31820e2d3a.

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is recognized as a cause of diarrhea associated with a high mortality in immunocompromised patients. We report on 2 pediatric cases of cryptosporidiosis during maintenance chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patients presented severe diarrheas, 1 of them was complicated by a cholangitis. Withdrawal of immunosuppressive treatments and adjunction of an adequate antiparasitic treatment cured the Cryptosporidium infection in both cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antiparasitic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cryptosporidiosis / complications*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / diagnosis
  • Cryptosporidiosis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Maintenance Chemotherapy* / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiparasitic Agents