Antifungal prophylaxis in stem cell transplantation centers in Turkey

Objective: This study aimed to determine the current state of antifungal prophylaxis in Turkish stem cell transplantation (SCT) centers. Materials and Methods: The were 38 active stem cell transplantation centers in Turkey, 28 of which were registered with the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). Survey questionnaires were sent to the 28 EBMT centers in an effort to collect data on antifungal prophylaxis in different settings. In all, 24 of the centers completed the survey; 1 of the 24 centers was excluded from the study, as it was under construction at the time and was not performing transplantation.Results: In all, 15 (65%) of the 23 centers were adult SCT centers, 7 (31%) were pediatric SCT centers, and 1 center treated both adult and pediatric patients. All centers (23/23) performed both allogeneic and autologous transplants, 20 centers performed non-myeloablative transplants, 8 performed cord blood transplants, and 7 performed unrelated transplants. Primary antifungal prophylaxis was used at all 23 centers during allogeneic transplants, whereas 18 of the 23 centers used it during every autologous transplant and 2 of the 23 centers used it during autologous transplants on a per case basis. The most common drug used for prophylaxis was fluconazole (F) (21/23), followed by itraconazole (I) (3/23), amphotericin-B (2/23), and posaconazole (1/23). Among the 23 centers, 3 reported that for allogenic transplants they changed the antifungal prophylactic in cases of graft versus host disease (GVHD), and 12 of the 23 centers reported that they changed the antifungal prophylactic in case of nearby construction. All 23 centers performed secondary prophylaxis. Conclusion: Antifungal prophylaxis for hematopoetic SCT patients was the standard protocol in the 23 centers included in the study, usually with such azoles as F. The introduction of posaconazole in Turkey and the potential approval of voriconazole for antifungal prophylaxis will eventually alter prophylaxis practice in Turkey, which we plan to assess in the future

Antifungal prophylaxis in stem cell transplantation centers in Turkey Türkiye'deki kök hücre nakli merkezlerinde antifungal profilaksi

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to determine the current state of antifungal prophylaxis in Turkish stem cell transplantation (SCT) centers. Materials and Methods: The were 38 active stem cell transplantation centers in Turkey, 28 of which were registered with the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). Survey questionnaires were sent to the 28 EBMT centers in an effort to collect data on antifungal prophylaxis in different settings. In all, 24 of the centers completed the survey; 1 of the 24 centers was excluded from the study, as it was under construction at the time and was not performing transplantation. Results: In all, 15 (65%) of the 23 centers were adult SCT centers, 7 (31%) were pediatric SCT centers, and 1 center treated both adult and pediatric patients. All centers (23/23) performed both allogeneic and autologous transplants, 20 centers performed non-myeloablative transplants, 8 performed cord blood transplants, and 7 performed unrelated transplants. Primary antifungal prophylaxis was used at all 23 centers during allogeneic transplants, whereas 18 of the 23 centers used it during every autologous transplant and 2 of the 23 centers used it during autologous transplants on a per case basis. The most common drug used for prophylaxis was fluconazole (F) (21/23), followed by itraconazole (I) (3/23), amphotericin-B (2/23), and posaconazole (1/23). Among the 23 centers, 3 reported that for allogenic transplants they changed the antifungal prophylactic in cases of graft versus host disease (GVHD), and 12 of the 23 centers reported that they changed the antifungal prophylactic in case of nearby construction. All 23 centers performed secondary prophylaxis. Conclusion: Antifungal prophylaxis for hematopoetic SCT patients was the standard protocol in the 23 centers included in the study, usually with such azoles as F. The introduction of posaconazole in Turkey and the potential approval of voriconazole for antifungal prophylaxis will eventually alter prophylaxis practice in Turkey, which we plan to assess in the future. (Turk J Hematol 2011; 28: 271-5) Key words: Prophylaxis, antifungal, stem cell transplantation Received: February 28, 2011 Accepted: June 1, 2011 Özet Amaç: Türkiye'deki kök hücre nakli merkezlerinde antifungal profilaksi eğilimlerini anlamak için yapılan bu çalışma bir anket çalışmasıdır

Impact of the population density on quality of life

The aim of this study was to compare life quality of people living in İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir having higher population density to those living in cities having lower population density. 2060 people from İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir, 5892 people from other cities, totally 7952 people, were participated in the study. Turkish version of WHOQOL-BREF scale consisting 27 items, developed by World Health Organization with the participation of 15 collaboration centers was used to determine life quality of participants. WHOQOL-BREF scale includes four dimensions; physical, psychological, social relations, and environment SPSS 16.0 was used to analyzed collected data. Descriptive analyze was used to determine characteristics of participants, Independent t test was used to compare cities having different populations densities, crosstab and chi square tests were used to analyze items not included in scoring. Significant differences were found between people from cities having different population density in terms of physical and environmental field (p<0.05), and psychological field (p<0.01). No significant difference was found in terms of social field (p>0.05). Consequently, according to higher level of life quality scores of people living in high population density than those living low population densities in terms of physical, psychological, social and environmental field, it can be said that it is a positive reflection of life to life quality in cities having higher population density.

Frequently asked questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients—recommendations for clinicians caring for patients with malignant diseases

Since early 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has a massive impact on health care systems worldwide. Patients with malignant diseases are assumed to be at increased risk for a worse outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and therefore, guidance regarding prevention and management of the infection as well as safe administration of cancer-therapy is required. Here, we provide recommendations for the management of patients with malignant disease in the times of COVID-19. These recommendations were prepared by an international panel of experts and then consented by the EHA Scientific Working Group on Infection in Hematology. The primary aim is to enable clinicians to provide optimal cancer care as safely as possible, since the most important protection for patients with malignant disease is the best-possible control of the underlying disease.Open access funding provided by Projekt DEA

Epidemiology and Outcome of Fungemia in a Cancer Cohort of the Infectious Diseases Group (IDG) of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC 65031)

In a prospective cohort study of 145 030 admissions of cancer patients from 13 European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer centers fungemia occurred in 0.23%. Candida albicans was the predominant pathogen. Fungemia was associated with substantial mortality. Antifungal prophylaxis and remission of cancer predicted better surviva

Toxoplasmosis in transplant recipients, Europe, 2010-2014

Transplantation activity is increasing, leading to a growing number of patients at risk for toxoplasmosis. We reviewed toxoplasmosis prevention practices, prevalence, and outcomes for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT; heart, kidney, or liver) patients in Europe. We collected electronic data on the transplant population and prevention guidelines/regulations and clinical data on toxoplasmosis cases diagnosed during 2010-2014. Serologic pretransplant screening of allo-hematopoietic stem cell donors was performed in 80% of countries, screening of organ donors in 100%. SOT recipients were systematically screened in 6 countries. Targeted anti-Toxoplasma chemoprophylaxis was heterogeneous. A total of 87 toxoplasmosis cases were recorded (58 allo-HSCTs, 29 SOTs). The 6-month survival rate was lower among Toxoplasma-seropositive recipients and among allo-hematopoietic stem cell and liver recipients. Chemoprophylaxis improved outcomes for SOT recipients. Toxoplasmosis remains associated with high mortality rates among transplant recipients. Guidelines are urgently needed to standardize prophylactic regimens and optimize patient management

Baseline Chest Computed Tomography as Standard of Care in High-Risk Hematology Patients

Baseline chest computed tomography (BCT) in high-risk hematology patients allows for the early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The distribution of BCT implementation in hematology departments and impact on outcome is unknown. A web-based questionnaire was designed. International scientific bodies were invited. The estimated numbers of annually treated hematology patients, chest imaging timepoints and techniques, IPA rates, and follow-up imaging were assessed. In total, 142 physicians from 43 countries participated. The specialties included infectious diseases (n = 69; 49%), hematology (n = 68; 48%), and others (n = 41; 29%). BCT was performed in 57% (n = 54) of 92 hospitals. Upon the diagnosis of malignancy or admission, 48% and 24% performed BCT, respectively, and X-ray was performed in 48% and 69%, respectively. BCT was more often used in hematopoietic cell transplantation and in relapsed acute leukemia. European centers performed BCT in 59% and non-European centers in 53%. Median estimated IPA rate was 8% and did not differ between BCT (9%; IQR 5-15%) and non-BCT centers (7%; IQR 5-10%) (p = 0.69). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) for IPA was performed in 98% (n = 90) of centers. In high-risk hematology patients, baseline CT is becoming a standard-of-care. Chest X-ray, while inferior, is still widely used. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to investigate the impact of BCT on patient outcome

International nosocomial infection control consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 36 countries, for 2004-2009

The results of a surveillance study conducted by the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from January 2004 through December 2009 in 422 intensive care units (ICUs) of 36 countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe are reported. During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN; formerly the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system [NNIS]) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infections, we gathered prospective data from 313,008 patients hospitalized in the consortium's ICUs for an aggregate of 2,194,897 ICU bed-days. Despite the fact that the use of devices in the developing countries' ICUs was remarkably similar to that reported in US ICUs in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were significantly higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals; the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the INICC ICUs of 6.8 per 1,000 central line-days was more than 3-fold higher than the 2.0 per 1,000 central line-days reported in comparable US ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia also was far higher (15.8 vs 3.3 per 1,000 ventilator-days), as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (6.3 vs. 3.3 per 1,000 catheter-days). Notably, the frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates to imipenem (47.2% vs 23.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (76.3% vs 27.1%), Escherichia coli isolates to ceftazidime (66.7% vs 8.1%), Staphylococcus aureus isolates to methicillin (84.4% vs 56.8%), were also higher in the consortium's ICUs, and the crude unadjusted excess mortalities of device-related infections ranged from 7.3% (for catheter-associated urinary tract infection) to 15.2% (for ventilator-associated pneumonia). Copyright © 2012 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Antifungal Treatment in Stem Cell Transplantation Centers in Turkey

Despite the development of various guidelines, the approach to antifungal treatment in stem cell transplantation centers differs according to country or even between centers. This led to the development of another survey that aims to understand the antifungal treatment policies of Turkish stem cell transplantation centers. Although there has been an increasing trend towards the use of diagnostic-based treatments in Turkey in the last few years, empirical treatment is still the main approach. The practices of the stem cell transplantation centers reflect the general trends and controversies in this area, while there is a considerable use of antifungal combination therapy

Surveillance of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci in A Stem Cell Transplantation Unit

During one year period between February 2003 and April 2004, rectal surveillance for vancomycin resistant enterococci is performed in 52 patients hospitalized in stem cell transplantation unit of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Haematology Department. Rectal swab cultures sent to clinical microbiology laboratory on 1st, 4th and 7th days of hospitalization and each week during their stay. Rectal swabs were cultured using antibiotic containing enterococcosel agar and inspected for 72 hours. 82.7% of the patients had a history of antibiotic use with cephalosporins in 63.5% (mean duration 5.9 days) and glycopeptides in 55.8% (mean duration 8.2 days). The mean duration time for hospitalization was 33.7 days. None of the cultures revealed vancomycin resistant enterococci. Routine surveillance of vancomycin resistant enterococci is not found to be necessary in the stem cell transplantation unit of our hospital