Effect of cumulative dose of brentuximab vedotin maintenance in relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplant: an analysis of real-world outcomes

Sixteen cycles of Brentuximab vedotin (BV) after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in high-risk relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma demonstrated an improved 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) over placebo. However, most patients are unable to complete all 16 cycles at full dose due to toxicity. This retrospective, multicenter study investigated the effect of cumulative maintenance BV dose on 2-year PFS. Data were collected from patients who received at least one cycle of BV maintenance after ASCT with one of the following high-risk features: primary refractory disease (PRD), extra-nodal disease (END), or relapse 75% of the planned total cumulative dose, cohort 2 with 51-75% of dose, and cohort 3 with ≤50% of dose. The primary outcome was 2-year PFS. A total of 118 patients were included. Fifty percent had PRD, 29% had RL<12, and 39% had END. Forty-four percent of patients had prior exposure to BV and 65% were in complete remission before ASCT. Only 14% of patients received the full planned BV dose. Sixty-one percent of patients discontinued maintenance early and majority of those (72%) were due to toxicity. The 2-year PFS for the entire population was 80.7%. The 2-year PFS was 89.2% for cohort 1 (n=39), 86.2% for cohort 2 (n=33), and 77.9% for cohort 3 (n=46) (P=0.70). These data are reassuring for patients who require dose reductions or discontinuation to manage toxicity

BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PYOGENIC MENINGITIS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, AHMEDABAD

Aims: Bacterial meningitis remains a major cause of mortality and long term neurological sequelae worldwide. The purpose of present study was to identify the pathogen in pyogenic meningitis and to determine its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Material and Methods: Present study was undertaken from July 2010 to December 2011 included 1470 CSF samples of clinically suspected pyogenic meningitis cases in all age groups. The samples were subjected to macroscopic examination, microscopic examination, Gram’s stain and culture tests. The organisms isolated in the study were characterized by standard procedure and antibiotic susceptibility tests according to CLSI guidelines. Results: Bacterial pathogens were isolated from 205 samples showing an isolation rate of 13.94%. Gram’s stain positivity was 61.95%. Among the isolated organisms, 69.26% were gram negative bacilli and 30.74% were gram positive cocci. The most commonly isolated bacteria were K. pneumoniae (22.92%) & S. aureus in 19.02%. Pyogenic meningitis was more common in paediatric patients than adults. K. pneumoniae and Enterococci spp. were most common isolated in neonatal age group. Most common organisms isolated in neurosurgical patients were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococci aureus. 09.10% gram negative organisms were ESBLs. Only 2 Gram positive isolates were MRSA. Conclusion: The frequency of single as well as multiple drug resistance was very high among the bacterial isolates. Antibiogram study indicated that the third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides can be used as single or in combinations for the empirical treatment of bacterial meningitis till culture and sensitivity report is awaited

Effect of Season and Year of Birth on Pubertal Age, Body Weight and Scrotal Circumference of Kankrej Bulls at First Semen Collection

Data on 26 bulls of Kankrej cattle (birth date from 2006 to 2017) inducted at a semen station from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed to study the effects of season and year of birth on age, body weight and scrotal circumference of bull at first semen collection. The overall least-squares means for age, body weight, and scrotal circumference of bulls at first semen collection were 1122.36 ± 86.9 days, 537.69 ± 10.51 kg and 30.86 ± 1.60 cm. Non-genetic factors like season and year of birth did not contribute significantly (p&gt;0.05) to these parameters’ variations. Results of the study revealed well adaptation of Kankrej cattle breed to seasonal changes and farm management took care of yearly variation in such a way that age, body weight and scrotal circumference of Kankrej bulls at first semen collection did not vary significantly.</jats:p

Demonstration: Disaster Evacuation Support

Evacuation or sheltering of neighborhoods, cities, or regions is a major component of responding to any natural or other disaster. Poorly chosen and uncoordinated destinations can quickly overwhelm shelter capacities. Insufficien

Analysis of kidney and liver exchange transplantation in India (2000–2025): a multicentre, retrospective cohort studyResearch in context

Summary: Background: In India, where deceased organ donation rates are relatively low, living donor transplantation programmes face challenges due to ABO incompatibility and sensitisation. Approximately one-third of healthy, willing living donors are incompatible with their intended recipients due to these factors. No large-scale data are currently available on kidney exchange (KE) or liver exchange (LE) transplants in low- and middle-income countries, including India. Methods: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective cohort study including KE (2000–2024) from 65 centres and LE (2007–2025) from 7 centres across India. The living donors were near-related donors without altruistic and deceased donors. Demographic and clinical data of both donors and recipients were included in the study. The reasons for KE/LE, post-transplant outcomes with respect to patient and graft survival, rejection episodes, and donor outcomes were analysed. Kidney allocation system guidelines were: (i) Thorough pre-transplant work-up of DRP was completed before allocation to avoid chain collapse. (ii) A policy of non-anonymous allocation was practised (in contrast to anonymous allocation in high-income countries), where pairs can create a rapport during evaluation and surgery. (iii) Simple two-way exchanges, and simultaneous surgeries were considered for less experienced transplant centres in order to avoid donor renege. Findings: A total of 1839 KE and 259 LE transplants were included in the study. The distribution of KE transplants included, 1594 (87%), 147 (8%), 44 (2%), 20 (1%), 24 (1%), and 10 (0.5%) transplants from 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, 5-way, 6-way and 10-way KE, respectively. Reasons for joining KE in transplanted pairs were ABO incompatibility 1610 (87%), compatible pairs 126 (7%), and sensitisation 103 (6%). There was notable gender imbalance, as more males were KE recipients 1504 (82%) and more females were donors 1469 (80%). The majority of LE were 2-way swaps (125 two-way vs. 3 three-way swaps), predominately involving male recipients (222 male vs. 37 females) and for ABO incompatibility. Interpretation: Our largest-to-date cohort study supports that swap transplants are medically simple, but logistically complex. Access to KE or LE was unequally distributed and likely under-used. If replicated, our experience could increase access to transplants and help combat the looming threat of commercial transplants. Funding: None