Leucemia mieloide aguda: evaluacion clínico terapéutica en niños del Hospital Universitario de Caracas: (período 1995-2004) / Acute myeloid leukemia: clinical-therapeutic evaluation in children Hospital Universitario of Caracas: (period 1995-2004)

Identificar las características clínico- hematológicas y la evolución terapéutica de niños con leucemia mieloide aguda, no promielocitica de novo, en el Servicio de Hematología del HUC entre 1995-2004. Estudio cliníco-epidemilógico descriptivo y retrospectivo a través de la revisión de historias clínicas de pacientes menores 18 años, tratados según el Protocolo P94 o el Protocolo modificado (PM), con sustitución de Idarubicina por Daunorubicina. Las características clínicas más frecuentes fueron fiebre, astenia, disnea, adenomegalias, palidez y hepatomegalia. La mayoría se presentó con anemia, leucocitosis y trombocitopenia. La incidencia de infiltración del SNC fue 5 por ciento. Cinco pacientes recibieron el P49 y 15 el PM. El P94 produjo 80 por ciento de remisión completa (RC) y el PM 73 por ciento (diferencia no significativa). La Sobrevida Libre de Eventos (SLEv), Sobrevida libre de enfermedad (SLE) y Sobrevida Total (ST) a los 26 meses de seguimiento fue 33.3 por ciento, 50 por ciento y 37,5 por ciento respectivamente para el P94 y de 14,3 por ciento, 20 por ciento y 18,7 por ciento para el PM (diferencias no significativas). Los resultados son levemente superiores a los obtenidos en el HUC con el PN80 y el P86, e inferiores a los obtenidos por grupos internacionales.

To identify clinical–hematological features and treatment results of 20 children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, non promyelocytic diagnosed and treated in The Hematology Service of Caracas University Hospital between 1995-2004. The study is of a retrospective, descriptive and clinical-epidemiologic type. Data was obtained by chart review of patients <18years old treated by P94 regimen or Modified (MP) in which Idarubicin was changed by Daunorubicin. Relevant clinical features were fever, fatigue, dispnea, lymph node enlargement, pallor and hepatomegaly. Most patients presented anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Central nervous system infiltration was present in 1 patient (5%). Five received P94 and 15 received MP. P94 produced 80% and MP 73% complete remissions (non statiscal difference). The Event Free Survival (EFS), Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Total Survival (TS) at 26 monts with P94 were 33.3%, 50% y 37,5% and with the Modified Protocol 14.3%, 20% y 18,7% (non statistical difference). Results are slightly better than previously obtained at The University Hospital with PN80 and P86, but lower than those obtained by international groups.

Acute-phase reactions, including cytokines, in patients bitten by Bothrops and Crotalus snakes in Brazil

Thirty-one patients bitten by venomous snakes in Botucatu area (State of Säo Paulo - Brazil), sixteen by Bothrops spp. and fifteen by Crotalus durissus terrificus, were studied. The group comprised twenty-nine males and two females, ranging from fourteen to sixty-three years of age (mean 33 ñ 15.Leukocytosis with neutrophilia and lymphopenia, increase of mucoproteins and C reactive protein, decrease of total serum protein and albumin, were observed on the first day after the accident. In addition, increased serum levels of the cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, but not of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, were observed. The alterations were generally more intense in patients bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus than by Bothrops spp. It is concluded that these snakebite envenomations closely resemble an acute trauma, inducing a typical acute-phase response.