Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Associated with Brucellosis in Two Patients with Fever and Pancytopenia

Brucellosis is a disease involving the lymphoproliferative system, which may lead to changes in the hematological parameters; however, pancytopenia is a rare finding. However, malignant diseases in association with brucellosis are rarely the cause of pancytopenia. Herein, two cases with fever and pancytopenia, diagnosed as simultaneous acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brucellosis are presented. Anti-leukemic therapy and brucellosis treatment were administered simultaneously, and normal blood parameters obtained. The first patient is in complete remission; the other recovered from the brucellosis, but later died due to a leukemic relapse

Catheter-related bacteremia due to Kocuria rosea in a patient undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: Micrococcus species may cause intracranial abscesses, meningitis, pneumonia, and septic arthritis in immunosuppressed or immunocompetent hosts. In addition, strains identified as Micrococcus spp. have been reported recently in infections associated with indwelling intravenous lines, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis fluids, ventricular shunts and prosthetic valves. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on the first case of a catheter-related bacteremia caused by Kocuria rosea, a gram-positive microorganism belonging to the family Micrococcaceae, in a 39-year-old man undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation due to relapsed Hodgkin disease. This uncommon pathogen may cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. CONCLUSIONS: This report presents a case of Kocuria rosea catheter related bacteremia after stem cell transplantation successfully treated with vancomycin and by catheter removal

What Is the Most Appropriate Source for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation? Peripheral Stem Cell/Bone Marrow/Cord Blood

The introduction of peripheral stem cell (PSC) and cord blood (CB) as an alternative to bone marrow (BM) recently has caused important changes on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) practice. According to the CIBMTR data, there has been a significant decrease in the use of bone marrow and increase in the use of PSC and CB as the stem cell source for HSCT performed during 1997–2006 period for patients under the age of 20. On the other hand, the stem cell source in 70% of the HSCT procedures performed for patients over the age of 20 was PSC and the second most preferred stem cell source was bone marrow. CB usage is very limited for the adult population. Primary disease, stage, age, time and urgency of transplantation, HLA match between the patient and the donor, stem cell quantity, and the experience of the transplantation center are some of the associated factors for the selection of the appropriate stem cell source. Unfortunately, there is no prospective randomized study aimed to facilitate the selection of the correct source between CB, PSC, and BM. In this paper, we would like to emphasize the data on stem cell selection in light of the current knowledge for patient populations according to their age and primary disease

An unusal case of acute brucellosis presenting with coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Brucellosis can mimic several primary hematological diseases. Mild anemia and leukopenia have been frequently associated with acute brucellosis, but pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hemolysis are less frequently seen. To our knowledge, brucellosis has not previously been described in association with coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Here, we report a case of acute brucellosis presenting with coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The patient responded well to short-term pulse corticosteroid therapy followed by antibrucellosis treatment. We suggest that Brucella infection may be the probable cause of the immune hemolytic anemia in this patient. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia should include brucellosis, especially in areas where the disease is endemic

Rhabdomyolysis in a Healthy Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donor following Mobilization with Filgrastim

Background: Although granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilization is generally well tolerated by healthy donors, there is also a wide spectrum of adverse events associated with it. Among these events, rhabdomyolysis in peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors is very rare. In this paper, we present a first case of rhabdomyolysis after administration of filgrastim for PBSC mobilization. Case Report: A 6-year-old donor received 10 mu g/kg/day filgrastim subcutaneously for 5 days. On the 3rd day of filgrastim, the donor complained of bone pain; a single dose of paracetamol (250 mg) was given to relieve pain. On the 4th day, she complained of bone pain, myalgia, and vomiting. On laboratory analysis, serum creatine phosphokinase was 1,095 U/l (40-226 U/l), LDH 312 U/l (100-190 U/l), aspartate aminotransferase 85 U/l (0-40 U/l), potassium 3.3 mmol/l (3.6-5.1 mmol/l). Urine myoglobin was 110 ng/ml (< 5 ng/ml). Rhabdomyolysis was suspected on clinical and laboratory findings. Clinical manifestations regressed and the laboratory results returned to normal within three days after intravenously forced diuresis and potassium replacement. Stem cells were successfully harvested from peripheral blood on the 5th day of G-CSF therapy. Conclusion: Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but important adverse effect of G-CSF. Allogeneic PBSC donors should be closely monitored with regard to rhabdomyolysis after G-CSF administration in the mobilization setting

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: A rare but important cause of fever and lymphadenopathy in pregnant women

We report a case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) in a 28-year-old pregnant woman with prolonged fever and generalized lymphadenopathy. We evaluated the patient for etiology of the fever and adenopathy, which were unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. Cervical lymph node histology showed KFD. Currently, there is scant data available regarding the course and treatment of KFD during pregnancy. We administered steroid therapy (prednisone 1 mg/kg/day) to control severe systemic and constitutional symptoms. We observed a reduction in lymph node size as well as abatement of fever and other constitutional symptoms. The patient carried the fetus to full term with no apparent adverse effect. Our experience showed that steroid therapy may be used effectively to control KFD-related symptoms after the first 16 weeks without terminating the pregnancy

Entecavir as a first-line treatment for hepatitis B virus reactivation following polychemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and invasive ductal carcinoma: a report of two cases and review of the literature

Objective Hepatitis B reactivation has been reported in chronic carriers of hepatitis B [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)] or in patients with prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who are HBsAg-negative and have antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) with or without antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Lamivudine has been the first and commonly used nucleoside analog to inhibit HBV replication; however, prolonged therapy has been associated with an increased risk for drug-resistant mutations and mortality rates. Entecavir, a deoxyguanosine analog, offers several advantages over lamivudine for the treatment of HBV reactivation following chemotherapy while exhibiting more potent antiviral activity and a lower resistance rate