Results of Levofloxacin Prophylaxis Timing in Autologous and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Despite preventive measures and varying antibiotic recommendations, bacterial infections continue to pose a significant threat to individuals undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Levofloxacin prophylaxis is commonly used, but the optimal timing for initiation is debated. This study aims to assess infection outcomes based on timing of levofloxacin prophylaxis (initiation at the first day of conditioning vs. after infusion of stem cells) in autologous and allogeneic HSCT patients. Methods We compared infectious episodes, responsible pathogens, and clinical outcomes based on the implementation of levofloxacin prophylaxis in patients receiving autologous or allogeneic HSCT procedures. This retrospective single-center study involved a review of the medical records of autologous and allogeneic HSCT patients treated at our adult stem cell transplantation unit between 2018 and 2020. The study included 23 patients who underwent autologous HSCT and 12 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT. We compared the demographic data, febrile neutropenia, proven bacterial infections, and 30-day survival among the autologous and allogeneic transplant groups, including those who received oral levofloxacin 500 mg/day prophylaxis. Results Positive blood cultures (26.1% vs. 75%; p = 0.011), mean neutrophil engraftment (10.6±1.2 vs. 14.8±1.3; p<0.001), and mean platelet engraftment (11.2±1.1 vs. 15.4±3.2; p = 0.004) were all lower in autologous transplant patients versus their allogeneic counterparts. When each type of HSCT was evaluated within the same type, there were no observed differences in infection frequency, infection type, or 30-day mortality between the patient groups with different levofloxacin initiation times. Conclusion Healthcare professionals should choose the most appropriate timing for initiating levofloxacin prophylaxis based on individual patient factors and clinical circumstances while considering the cost-effectiveness implications. Further research with a larger sample size and prospective design is needed to support our findings.

Transient elastography of liver: Could it be a guide for diagnosis and management strategy in hepatic veno-occlusive disease (sinusoidal obstruction syndrome)?

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also termed sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), is a rare and life threatening complication of hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Many conditions can mimic the clinical signs of VOD/SOS. Differential diagnosis and diagnosis of the disease at an early stage is important, since the severe form of the disease has higher mortality rates and early-initiated specific treatment has better response rates. A sensitive and specific non-invasive imaging technique that can diagnose the disease at an early stage is still an unmet need today. We aimed to determine the role of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with transient elastograph (TE) for the diagnosis of VOD/SOS after allogeneic HSCT. Between January 2019 and October 2021, a total of 49 patients underwent allogeneic HSCT and were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-one adult patients who had a two or more LSM value were included in the study. Revised European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) was the criteria used for the diagnosis of VOD/SOS. Two of 31 patients developed VOD/SOS (6.4 %). Very high LSM values were detected in all patients who developed VOD/SOS. Early and specific VOD/SOS treatment resulted in improvement of LSM values together with other related features. However, LSM values did not increase significantly in patients with high a bilirubin level (≥2 mg/dl) without VOD/SOS. This study demonstrates that TE might be a promising non-invasive imaging method for diagnosis, follow-up and differential diagnosis of this dismal complication of HSCT. Yet, these results need to be supported by prospective studies.

Bladder wall thickness and ultrasound estimated bladder weight in healthy adults with portative ultrasound device.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate bladder wall thickness (BWT) and ultrasound estimated bladder weight (UEBW) values in healthy population with a portative ultrasound device and their relationship with demographic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in Neurorehabilitation Clinic of Ege University Hospital. Ninety-five subjects (48 women and 47 men) aged between 18 and 56 were included in the study. BWT and UEBW were determined non-invasively with a portative ultrasound device; Bladder Scan BVM 6500 (Verathon Inc., WA, USA) at a frequency of 3.7 MHz at functional bladder capacity. These values were compared by gender, and their relation was assessed with age, body mass index (BMI) and parity. RESULTS: Mean BWT was 2.0 ± 0.4 mm and UEBW was 44.6 ± 8.3 g at a mean volume of 338.0 ± 82.1 ml. Although higher results were obtained in men at higher bladder volumes, the results did not differ significantly by gender. Correlation analyses revealed statistically significant correlation between UEBW and age (r = 0.32). BWT was negatively correlated with volume (r = -0.50) and bladder surface area (r = -0.57). Also, statistically significant correlations were observed between UEBW and volume (r = 0.36), bladder surface area (r = 0.48) and BWT (r = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Determined values of BWT and UEBW in healthy population are estimated with portative ultrasound devices, which are future promising, for their convenient, easy, non-invasive, time-efficient hand-held use for screening.

Should complete and incomplete spinal cord injury patients receive the same attention in urodynamic evaluations and ultrasonography examinations of the upper urinary tract?

The aim of the study was to compare urodynamic findings and upper urinary tract (UUT) abnormalities detected by ultrasonography in complete and incomplete suprasacral spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Thirty-eight suprasacral SCI patients who underwent ultrasonography evaluation of the UUT and urodynamic investigation were evaluated retrospectively. The mean maximum detrusor pressure was 51.08+28.71 cmH2O for the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)-A group and 61.42+30.93 cmH2O for the ASIA-B-E group (P>0.05). The mean cystometric capacity was 269.38+139.98 for the ASIA-A group and 223.36+135.59 ml for the ASIA-B-E group (P>0.05). Abnormalities in the UUT were found in 15.4% of the complete SCI patients and 16% of the incomplete SCI patients (P>0.05). No differences were found in urodynamic parameters and UUT abnormalities between the complete and the incomplete suprasacral SCI patients. Therefore, incomplete SCI patients should be observed with the same caution as complete SCI patients.