Analysis of the feasibility of early hospital discharge after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the implications to nursing care

INTRODUCTION: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a conduct used to treat some hematologic diseases and to consolidate the treatment of others. In the field of nursing, the few published scientific studies on nursing care and early hospital discharge of transplant patients are deficient. Knowledge about the diseases treated using hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, providing guidance to patients and caregivers and patient monitoring are important nursing activities in this process. Guidance may contribute to long-term goals through patients' short-term needs. AIM: To analyze the results of early hospital discharge on the treatment of patients submitted to autologous transplantation and the influence of nursing care on this conduct. METHODS: A retrospective, quantitative, descriptive and transversal study was conducted. The hospital records of 112 consecutive patients submitted to autologous transplantation in the period from January to December 2009 were revisited. Of these, 12 patients, who remained in hospital for more than ten days after transplantation, were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The medical records of 100 patients with a median age of 48.5 years (19-69 years) were analyzed. All patients were mobilized and hematopoietic stem cells were collected by leukapheresis. The most common conditioning regimes were BU12Mel100 and BEAM 400. Toxicity during conditioning was easily managed in the outpatient clinic. Gastrointestinal toxicity, mostly Grades I and II, was seen in 69% of the patients, 62% of patients had diarrhea, 61% of the patients had nausea and vomiting and 58% had Grade I and II mucositis. Ten patients required hospitalization due to the conditioning regimen. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 58% of patients. Two patients died before Day +60 due to infections, one with aplasia. The median times to granulocyte and platelet engraftment were 12 days and 15 days, respectively, with median...

POLYCLONAL OUTBREAK OF BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS CAUSED BY Burkholderia cepacia COMPLEX IN HEMATOLOGY AND BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT OUTPATIENT UNITS / Surto policlonal de infecção de corrente sanguínea causada pelo complexo Burkholderia cepacia em unidades de hospital-dia de hematologia e transplante de medula óssea

Aim: The objective was to describe an outbreak of bloodstream infections by Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) in bone marrow transplant and hematology outpatients. Methods: On February 15, 2008 a Bcc outbreak was suspected. 24 cases were identified. Demographic and clinical data were evaluated. Environment and healthcare workers' (HCW) hands were cultured. Species were determined and typed. Reinforcement of hand hygiene, central venous catheter (CVC) care, infusion therapy, and maintenance of laminar flow cabinet were undertaken. 16 different HCWs had cared for the CVCs. Multi-dose heparin and saline were prepared on counter common to both units. Findings: 14 patients had B. multivorans (one patient had also B. cenopacia), six non-multivorans Bcc and one did not belong to Bcc. Clone A B. multivorans occurred in 12 patients (from Hematology); in 10 their CVC had been used on February 11/12. Environmental and HCW cultures were negative. All patients were treated with meropenem, and ceftazidime lock-therapy. Eight patients (30%) were hospitalized. No deaths occurred. After control measures (multidose vial for single patient; CVC lock with ceftazidime; cleaning of laminar flow cabinet; hand hygiene improvement; use of cabinet to store prepared medication), no new cases occurred. Conclusions: This polyclonal outbreak may be explained by a common source containing multiple species of Bcc, maybe the laminar flow cabinet common to both units. There may have been contamination by B. multivorans (clone A) of multi-dose vials.

O objetivo foi descrever um surto de infecções da corrente sanguínea por complexo B. cepacia (Bcc) nos ambulatórios de hematologia e transplante de medula óssea. Métodos: Em 15/02/2008, um surto de Bcc foi suspeitado. 24 casos foram identificados. Os dados demográficos e clínicos foram avaliados. Mãos de profissionais da saúde e ambiente foram cultivadas. Espécies foram determinadas e tipadas. Reforço da higiene das mãos, cuidados com cateteres, terapia de infusão e manutenção da câmara de fluxo laminar foram realizadas. 16 profissionais de saúde (PS) diferentes manipularam os cateteres. Heparina multidoses e soro eram preparadas em um balcão comum a ambas as unidades. Resultados: 14 pacientes tiveram B. multivorans (um paciente teve também B. cenopacia), 6 Bcc não-multivorans e um teve um agente não pertencente a Bcc. Clone A de B. multivorans ocorreu em 12 pacientes (da Hematologia), em 10 o cateter havia sido utilizado nos dias 11 ou 12 de fevereiro. Culturas ambientais e de PS foram negativos. Todos os pacientes foram tratados com meropenem e selo de ceftazidima. Oito pacientes (30%) foram hospitalizados. Não ocorreram mortes. Após as medidas de controle, nenhum novo caso ocorreu. Conclusões: Este surto policlonal pode ser explicado por uma fonte comum contendo várias espécies de Bcc, talvez a câmara de fluxo laminar comum a ambas as unidades. Pode ter havido contaminação por B. multivorans (clone A) de frascos multi-dose.

Oral health as a predictive factor for oral mucositis

OBJECTIVES: Oral mucositis is a complication frequently associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, decreasing a patient's quality of life and increasing the occurrence of opportunistic infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and severity of oral mucositis and to assess the correlation of this disease with the oral health of an individual at the time of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: Before transplantation, patients' oral health and inflammatory conditions were determined using the gingival index and the plaque index, which are based on gingival bleeding and the presence of dental plaque, respectively. Additionally, the dental health status was determined using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index. The monitoring of oral mucositis was based on the World Health Organization grading system and was performed for five periods: from Day 0 to D+5, from D+6 to D+10, from D+11 to D+15, from D+16 to D+20, and from D+21 to D+30. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (56% male and 44% female) who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo between January 2008 and July 2009 were prospectively examined. The incidence of ulcerative mucositis was highest from days +6 to +10 and from days +11 to +15 in the patients who underwent autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, respectively. CONCLUSION: The data, including the dental plaque and periodontal status data, showed that these oral health factors were predictive of the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in a cohort of patients with similar conditioning regimens before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. .

Busulfan and melphalan as conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with HLA-identical donors has been established for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia patients for over 30 years with a cure rate of 50 percent to 60 percent. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the overall survival of patients and identify factors that influence the outcomes of this type of transplant in patients in 1st complete remission who received a busulfan and melphalan combination as conditioning regimen. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with acute myeloid leukemia were enrolled between 2003 and 2008. The median age was 34 years old (Range: 16 - 57 years). All patients received cyclosporine and methotrexate for prophylaxis against graft-versus-host disease. Median neutrophil engraftment time was 16 days (Range: 7 - 22 days) and 17 days (Range: 7 - 46 days) for platelets. Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome was observed in three patients, seven had grade II acute graft-versus-host disease and one extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease. RESULTS: The overall survival by the Kaplan-Meier method was 48 percent after 36 months with a plateau at 36 months after transplantation. Intensive consolidation with high-dose arabinoside resulted in an improved survival (p-value = 0.0001), as did grade II acute graft-versus-host disease (p-value = 0.0377) and mild chronic graft-versus-host disease (p-value < 0.0001). Thirteen patients died, five due to infection within 100 days of transplant, two due to hemorrhages, one to infection and graftversus-host disease and three relapses followed by renal failure (one) and infection (two). The cause of death could not be determined for two patients. CONCLUSION: The busulfan and melphalan conditioning regimen is as good as other conditioning regimens providing an excellent survival rate.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Hodgkin's lymphoma has high rates of cure, but in 15 percent to 20 percent of general patients and between 35 percent and 40 percent of those in advanced stages, the disease will progress or will relapse after initial treatment. For this group, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is considered one option of salvage therapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a group of 106 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, who suffered relapse or who were refractory to treatment, submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a single transplant center. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed with data collected from patient charts. The analysis involved 106 classical Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who were consecutively submitted to high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous transplants in a single institution from April 1993 to December 2006. RESULTS: The overall survival rates of this population at five and ten years were 86 percent and 70 percent, respectively. The disease-free survival was approximately 60 percent at five years. Four patients died of procedure-related causes but relapse of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma after transplant was the most frequent cause of death. Univariate analysis shows that sensitivity to pre-transplant treatment and hemoglobin < 10 g/dL at diagnosis had an impact on patient survival. Unlike other studies, B-type symptoms did not seem to affect overall survival. Lactic dehydrogenase and serum albumin concentrations analyzed at diagnosis did not influence patient survival either. CONCLUSION: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment strategy for early and late relapse in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma for cases that were responsive to pre-transplant chemotherapy. Refractory to treatment is a sign of worse prognosis. Additionally, a hemoglobin concentration below 10 g/dL at diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma has a negative impact on the survival of patients after transplant. As far as we know this relationship has not been previously reported.

Bcl-2 protein frequency in patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / Frequência da proteína Bcl-2 em pacientes com linfoma difuso de grandes células B de alto risco

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Gene expression and immunohistochemical profiling of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have revealed important prognostic subgroups: germinal center B-cell-like (GCB-like) DLBCL and activated B cell-like (ABC-like) DLBCL. Although few reports on high-risk DLBCL are available, the prognosis for the GCB-like subgroup has been shown to be better than that of the ABC-like subgroup. The role of Bcl-2 as a predictor of survival in DLBCL cases is unclear and its expression varies between the two subgroups of DLBCL. In this study, we analyzed the frequency and prognostic impact of Bcl-2 protein expression in high-risk DLBCL cases. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study among DLBCL patients treated at Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). METHODS: The prognostic impact of the expression of the proteins CD10, Bcl-6, MUM1 (multiple myeloma oncogene-1) and Bcl-2 on high-risk DLBCL cases was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry. Seventy-three patients aged 18-60 years were evaluated for all these markers. RESULTS: Twenty-four cases (32.9 percent) were GCB-like and 49 (67.1 percent) were ABC-like, with no difference regarding complete remission, disease-free survival or overall survival rates. Twenty-seven patients (37 percent) showed Bcl-2 expression, which was the only independent factor predicting a worse prognosis for overall survival according to multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Bcl-2 protein was expressed in 37 percent of the high-risk DLBCL patients, without any difference between the ABC-like DLBCL and GCB-like DLBCL cases.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A expressão gênica e imunoistoquímica do linfoma difuso de grandes células B (LDGCB) vem permitindo a identificação de importantes subgrupos prognósticos: LDGCB do centro germinativo (CG) e LDGCB de células B ativadas (CBA). Entretanto, existem poucos dados disponíveis com LDGCB de alto risco, sendo o prognóstico dos LDGCB do CG melhor que os LDGCB de CBA. A participação do Bcl-2 como preditor de sobrevida nos LDGCB não é clara e sua expressão é variável entre os dois subgrupos de LDGCB. Neste estudo é avaliada a frequência e o prognóstico da expressão da proteína Bcl-2 em LDGCB de alto risco. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo realizado entre portadores de LDGCB tratados no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliado o impacto prognóstico da expressão das proteínas CD10, Bcl-6, MUM1 (multiple myeloma oncogene-1) e Bcl-2 por imunoistoquímica em LDGCB de alto risco. Foram avaliados, para todos os marcadores, 73 pacientes com idade de 18 a 60 anos. RESULTADOS: Vinte e quatro (32,9 por cento) pacientes foram classificados como LDGCB do CG e 49 (67,1 por cento) como LDGCB de CBA, sem diferença nas taxas de remissão completa, sobrevida livre de doença e sobrevida global. Vinte e sete (37 por cento) apresentaram expressão de Bcl-2, o qual foi o único fator preditivo independente de pior prognóstico de sobrevida global à análise multivariada. CONCLUSÃO: A expressão da proteína Bcl-2 ocorreu em 37 por cento dos portadores de LDGCB de alto risco, sem diferença entre os subgrupos de LDGCB do CG ou de CBA.

Risk stratification for indolent lymphomas / Estratificação de risco dos linfomas indolentes

Indolent B-cell lymphomas account for approximately 40 percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). Advances in technology have contributed to improvements in the diagnosis and classification of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Follicular Lymphomas are the most common although the frequency varies significantly throughout the world. The description of the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) was an important step in identifying patient subgroups, but its use in the clinical practice has not been established yet. The use of a larger number of paraffin active monoclonal antibodies for immunohistochemistry, molecular cytogenetic studies including standard cytogenetics, multi-color fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction and locus-specific fluorescence insitu hybridization as well as developments in high-resolution techniquesincluding microarray gene expression profiling allow more accurate diagnosis andprecise definition of biomarkers of value in risk stratification. The identification ofdiseasespecific gene lists resulting from expression profiling provides a number ofpotential protein targets that can be validated using immunohistochemistry. Analysesof gene expression profiles or constitutive gene variations may also provide additional insight for prognostication in the near future. A comprehensive understanding of the biology of these distinct lymphoid tumors will allow us to identify novel diseaserelated genes and should facilitate the development of improved diagnosis, outcome prediction, and personalized approaches to treatment.

Os linfomas de células B indolentes representam aproximadamente 40 por cento do total de linfomas não Hodgkin (LNHs). O avanço das tecnologias novas tem contribuído para a melhora no diagnóstico e classificação dos LNH indolentes. O linfoma folicular é o mais comum e sua frequência varia significantemente pelo mundo. Adescrição do Índice Internacional de Prognóstico dos linfomas folicular (FLIPI) representa um passo importante na identificação de subgrupos de pacientes, mas seu uso na prática clínica ainda necessita ser estabelecido. O uso de um número maior de anticorpos monoclonais para imunoistoquímica, estudo citogenético incluindo citogenética convencional ou hibridização in-situ por fluorescência (FISH), bem como o desenvolvimento de técnicas de alta resolução incluindo a expressão por microarray possibilita maior acurácia no diagnóstico e definição precisa dos biomarcadores com valor na estratificação de risco. A identificação de genes específicos para os diversos tipos de linfomas permite o reconhecimento de potenciais proteínas alvo que podem ser validadas usando imunoistoquímica. Análises da expressão do perfil de genes ou variações genéticas constitutivas pode também prover conhecimentos adicionais para o prognóstico em um futuro próximo. Um entendimento da biologia desses distintos tumores linfoides permite-nos identificar novos grupos de genes relacionados à doença e deve facilitar o desenvolvimento diagnóstico, predizendo a evolução e permitindo tratamentos personalizados.

Células-tronco hematopoéticas de cordão umbilical: uma nova alternativa terapêutica?* / Umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells: a new therapeutic alternative?

Na medicina, a importância das células-tronco hematopoéticas (CTH) é evidente pelo seu uso rotineiro no tratamento de doenças onco-hematológicas e imunológicas, através do transplante de medula óssea. Entretanto, pelas dificuldades de se encontrar doadores compatíveis de medula óssea, tem-se buscado outras opções, como a utilização de sangue de cordão umbilical (SCU) como fonte celular. O presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão da literatura médica pertinente, analisando os prós e os contras dessa alternativa terapêutica...

In medicine, the importance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is evident from their routine use in the treatment of oncohematologic and imunologic disorders achieved through bone marrow transplantation. Nevertheless, due to the difficulties encountered in finding compatible bone marrow donors, other options have been sought, for example, the use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) as a cell source. This work presents a review of pertinent medical literature and it analyzes the pros and cons of this therapeutic alternative...

Registry of Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School: first official solid organ and tissue transplantation report - 2008

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report a single center experience of organ and tissue transplantation INTRODUCTION: This is the first report of organ and tissue transplantation at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School. METHODS: We collected data from each type of organ transplantation from 2002 to 2007. The data collected were patient characteristics and actuarial survival Kaplan-Meier curves at 30 days, one year, and five years RESULTS: There were a total of 3,321 transplants at our institution and the 5-year survival curve ranged from 53 percent to 88 percent. CONCLUSION: This report shows that solid organ and tissue transplants are feasible within the institution and allow us to expect that the quality of transplantation will improve in the future.

Impact of cytomegalovirus and grafts versus host disease on the dynamics of CD57+CD28-CD8+ T cells after bone marrow transplant

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of CD28 and CD57 expression in CD8+ T lymphocytes during cytomegalovirus viremia in bone marrow transplant recipients. METHODS: In a prospective study, blood samples were obtained once weekly once from 33 healthy volunteers and weekly from 33 patients. To evaluate the expression of CD57 and CD28 on CD8+ T lymphocytes, flow cytometry analysis was performed on blood samples for four months after bone marrow transplant, together with cytomegalovirus antigenemia assays. RESULTS: Compared to cytomegalovirus-seronegative healthy subjects, seropositive healthy subjects demonstrated a higher percentage of CD57+ and a lower percentage of CD28+ cells (p<0.05). A linear regression model demonstrated a continuous decrease in CD28+ expression and a continuous increase in CD57+ expression after bone marrow transplant. The occurrence of cytomegalovirus antigenemia was associated with a steep drop in the percentage of CD28+ cells (5.94 percent, p<0.01) and an increase in CD57+ lymphocytes (5.60 percent, p<0.01). This cytomegalovirus-dependent effect was for the most part concentrated in the allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients. The development of acute graft versus host disease, which occurred at an earlier time than antigenemia (day 26 vs. day 56 post- bone marrow transplant), also had an impact on the CD57+ subset, triggering an increase of 4.9 percent in CD57+ lymphocytes (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found continuous relative changes in the CD28+ and CD57+ subsets during the first 120 days post- bone marrow transplant, as part of immune system reconstitution and maturation. A clear correlation was observed between the expansion of the CD57+CD28-CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulation and the occurrence of graft versus host disease and cytomegalovirus viremia.

Evaluation of early hospital discharge after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The increasing number of patients waiting for bone marrow transplantation in our service led to the implement of an early hospital discharge program with the intention of reducing the interval between diagnosis and transplantation. In this study we analyzed the results from early discharge, with outpatient care for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study at the Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit of Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: We compared clinical outcomes within 100 days post-transplantation, for 51 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who received partially outpatient-based allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and the results were compared with a historical control group of 49 patients who received inpatient-based hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. RESULTS: There were significantly fewer days of hospitalization (p = 0.004), Pseudomonas-positive cultures (p = 0.006) and nausea and vomiting of grade 2-3 (p < 0.001) in the outpatient group. There were no significant differences in mortality between the groups and no deaths occurred within the first 48 days post-transplantation in the outpatient group. CONCLUSIONS: This partially outpatient-based hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program allowed an increased number of transplantations in our institution, in cases of CML and other diseases, since it reduced the median length of hospital stay without increasing morbidity and mortality.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O número crescente de pacientes com indicação de transplante de medula óssea levou à implantação da alta hospitalar precoce em nosso serviço, com o intuito de reduzir o intervalo entre o diagnóstico e o transplante. Neste trabalho, avaliamos os resultados da alta precoce, com acompanhamento ambulatorial dos pacientes submetidos ao transplante de medula óssea alogênico portadores de leucemia mielóide crônica. TIPO E ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo, realizado no Serviço de Transplante de Medula Ossea do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados os resultados do transplante de medula óssea alogênico, de doadores aparentados, até o dia 100 pós-transplante, de 51 pacientes portadores de leucemia mielóide crônica que receberam alta precoce, antes da pega medular. Os resultados foram comparados com o controle histórico constituído por 49 pacientes que receberam alta somente após a pega medular. RESULTADOS: Houve significativamente menos dias de hospitalização (p = 0,004), culturas positivas para Pseudomonas sp. (p = 0,006) e náusea e vômitos graus 2-3 (p < 0,001) no grupo de alta precoce. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto à mortalidade e não ocorreu nenhum óbito até o dia 48 pós-transplante no grupo de alta precoce. CONCLUSÕES: O programa de alta precoce permitiu aumento do número de transplantes em leucemia mielóide crônica e outras doenças em nosso serviço, com redução do número de dias de internação hospitalar sem aumento da morbidade ou da mortalidade.

Scedosporium apiospermum sinusitis after bone marrow transplantation: report of a case

Paciente portador de leucemia mieloide cronica, com irma HLA-compativel foi submetido a transplante alogenico de medula ossea. No dia +90 pos-TMO foi diagnosticado doenca do enxerto contra o hospedeiro (DECH) extensa e iniciado protocolo alternado de imunossupressao com altas doses de ciclosporina A e prednisona. O seguimento ambulatorial foi complicado, com granulocitopenia intermitente e quadros frequentes de sinusite e pneumonia. Um ano apos o transplante, o paciente apresentou rouquidao e voz anasalada. Foi realizada uma biopsia de corda vocal mas nenhum agente infeccioso pode ser identificado. Na diminuicao das doses das drogas imunossupressoras, houve piora da DECH cronica e foi reiniciado esquema de doses altas no dia +550. Tres meses apos, permanecendo o quadro de DECH fora do controle, foi tentado imunossupressao com azatioprina sem sucesso...

Etiopatogênese da anemia aplástica e tratamento da forma severa com imunossupressäo e transplante de medula óssea / Etiopathogenesis of aplastic anemia and of the severe form with immunosupression and bone marrow transplantation

A anemia aplástica é uma afecçäo caracterizada por hipoplasia da medula óssea e pancitopenia. Pode ser causada por vários agentes que, com certa freqüência, permanecem desconhecidos (assim chamados casos idiopáticos). Os tratamentos atualmente utilizados compreendem a imunossupressäo e o transplante alogênico de medula óssea para a forma severa desta doença

Infecçäo em pacientes neutropênicos imunossuprimidos / Infection in neutropenic inmunosuppressed patients

Apresenta-se um enfoque geral sobre as infecçöes em pacientes imunocomprometidos, baseando-se na publicaçäo de Rogers, T.R. (1985) e Bodey, G.P. (1985)