High efficacy and low toxicity of short-course oral valganciclovir as pre-emptive therapy for hematopoietic stem cell transplant cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection is a major infectious complication post-allogeneic hemato-poietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT]. CMV seropositivity in Eastern Mediterranean and certain Asian countries is reported to be close to 100%; hence, the need for effective pre-emptive treatment strategy that has low toxicity. Valganiciclovir [VGC] is a prodrug of ganciclovir with high biovailability. HSCT patients with documented CMV infection [as defined by positive CMV anti-genemia] were treated as outpatients with VGC at a starting dose of 900 mg once daily for antoher week and treatment was subsequently discontinued. Those who were positive after one week of therapy continued on the twice daily treatment schedule for another week and changed to a daily schedule once they converted to antigenemia negativity. From January 2004 to December 2007, 47 HSCT patients received preemptive treatment with VGC for 61 episodes of CMV infection. The antigenemia range was 1 to 700 infected cells/slide. Complete responses were observed in 92% and 97% after the 1st and 2nd week of treatment, respectively. Three percent of the episodes were considred refractory, requiring alternative therapy. No CMV disease was observed in this cohort. Neutropenia was the main observed toxicity, requiring granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in 8 episodes. Outpatietn treatment of CMV infection with "short-course oral VGC" given as a one week twice dialy treatment and one week once daily maintenance is a highly effective therapy with minimal toxicity. These results require validation in a larger, randomized study

Systemic thromboembolic complications after laparoscopic splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in comparison to open surgery in the absence of anticoagulant prophylaxis

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] in adults has a chronic course and may necessitate splenectomy. The current study was undertaken to study the systemic thromboembolic complications of laparoscopic splenectomy [LS] versus open splenectomy [OS] in patients with ITP at two large referral hospitals. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 49 patients who underwent splenectomy [21 LS and 28 OS] for primary/relapsing refractory ITP between June 1995 and November 2004. Clinically and/or radiologically confirmed deep venous thrombosis [DVT] and/or pulmonary embolism [PE] were assessed within 2 weeks before and after splenectomy. None had prophylactic anticoagulants immediately after surgery. Follow up of those who developed complications continued for at least 2 additional years to assess for contributing factors that may have been masked at the time of occurrence. Two [9.5%] LS group had acute PE within 5 days of LS and their platelet count reached 500 +/- 103/ micro L within 4 days and 1000 +/- 103/ micro L within 7 days after surgery. Three conversions to OS occurred; none had VTE. DVT occurred in 3 patients [10.7%] in the OS group; none were life threatening. There were no deaths. Life-threatening venous thromboembolic events are serious complications after LS and OS for ITP patients if prophylactic anticoagulants are not administered. Patients at risk are those who both have an exponential rise of the platelet count, although factors other than the platelet count may be contributing in OS. Postsplenectomy, ITP should be considered as a thrombophilic condition and studies of additional measures to prevent such events are warranted