Salivary parameters and their correlation with neutrophil counts in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is known to render children immuno-deficient. A concomitant suppression of local defence mechanisms, such as saliva may further aggravate the adverse consequences of chemotherapy. The present study was conducted to evaluate alterations in salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity and to correlate these parameters with Absolute Neutrophil Counts (ANC).

METHODS

A cohort of 43 patients, aged 3-12 years were evaluated for the aforementioned parameters at baseline, post-induction and post-consolidation phases. Salivary collection was done and ANC was measured from routine haematological reports.

RESULTS

A decrease in the salivary parameters was observed at the end of Induction phase as compared to baseline, with a statistically significant decrease in unstimulated salivary flow rates (p < 0.01). Statistically significant positive correlations were found between ANC and salivary flow rate (p = 0.005), pH (p < 0.00) and buffering capacity (p < 0.00). On testing the significance of these correlations, all the values for these parameters were found to be statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Salivary parameters showed derangements over the phases of chemotherapy, with maximum decrease at the end of induction phase. The positive correlations of salivary parameters with ANC of the subjects may be considered indicative of a concomitant immunological compromise in these children.

Fibrinogen interaction with complement C3: a potential therapeutic target to reduce thrombosis risk

Complement C3 binds fibrinogen and compromises fibrin clot lysis, thereby enhancing the risk of thrombosis. We investigated the role of the fibrinogen-C3 interaction as a novel therapeutic target to reduce thrombosis risk by analyzing: (i) consistency in the fibrinolytic properties of C3; (ii) binding sites between fibrinogen and C3; and (iii) modulation of fibrin clot lysis by manipulating fibrinogen-C3 interactions. Purified fibrinogen and C3 from the same individuals (n=24) were used to assess inter-individual variability in the anti-fibrinolytic effects of C3. Microarray screening and molecular modeling evaluated C3 and fibrinogen interaction sites. Novel synthetic conformational proteins, termed affimers, were used to modulate the C3-fibrinogen interaction and fibrinolysis. C3 purified from patients with type 1 diabetes showed enhanced prolongation of fibrinolysis compared with healthy control protein (195±105 and 522±166 s, respectively; P=0.04), with consistent effects but a wider range (5-51% and 5-18% lysis prolongation, respectively). Peptide microarray screening identified two potential C3-fibrinogen interaction sites within the fibrinogen β chain (residues 424-433 and 435-445). One fibrinogen-binding affimer that was isolated displayed sequence identity with C3 in an exposed area of the protein. This affimer abolished C3- induced prolongation of fibrinolysis (728±25.1 s to 632±23.7 s; P=0.005) and showed binding to fibrinogen in the same region that is involved in C3-fibrinogen interactions. Moreover, it shortened plasma clot lysis of patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease or controls by 7-11%. C3 binds fibrinogen -chain and disruption of the fibrinogen-C3 interaction using affimer proteins enhances fibrinolysis, which represents a potential novel tool to reduce thrombosis in high-risk individuals.

Do traumatic lumbar punctures lead to greater relapses in acute lymphoblastic leukemia? Experience at a university hospital in India

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of traumatic lumbar puncture (TLP) at diagnosis of relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Risk factors associated with TLP were assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed from the records of children with ALL who were treated from January 2010 to December 2012.

RESULTS

A total of 311 patients with median age of 5 years (range: 1-13) were treated for ALL. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis obtained from first LP revealed 275: Central nervous system 1 (CNS 1) (no blasts); 8: CNS 3 (blasts positive); and 28: TLP. Twenty-eight (9%) patients relapsed. Twelve (3.9%) had a CNS relapse. A TLP at diagnosis was not associated with an increased risk of systemic or CNS relapse (P = 0.298, 0.295). Three years event-free survival of patients with TLP and without atraumatic LP (ATLP) at diagnosis was 56 ± 5.2% and 51.8 ± 12.4%, (P = 0.520). Three years overall survival with TLP and ATLP was 73.3 ± 3.5% and 70.4 ± 12.5%, respectively, (P = 0.963). Median platelet count in patients with TLP was significantly lower than those without TLP (10,000/μL and 28,000/μL, P < 0.001). A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed for predicting the risk of TLP based on platelet count. Area under the curve was 0.74 ± 0.05 (95% confidence interval 0.64-0.84). Platelet count < 23.5 × 109/L at the time of LP had 75% sensitivity and 64.4% specificity in predicting a TLP.

CONCLUSIONS

Low platelet counts are significantly associated with risk of TLP. Traumatic LP at diagnosis was not associated with an increased risk of relapse.

Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Non-Endemic Area of India

The study included 57 patients with visceral leishmaniasis. The average duration of symptoms was 3.8 ± 3.55 months and pancytopenia was the commonest haematological abnormality. The parasite load directly correlated with the degree of anaemia at presentation (P=0.03). Splenic regression took 9.58 ±4.5 days and haematological parameters recovered in 14.5±9.07 days. There were five deaths over the five-year study duration. Leishmaniasis was not the first diagnosis in 14 patients, of whom eight were residents of non-endemic regions. Diagnosis was achieved in 13.5 days in these patients, compared to 4.5 days in patients where leishmaniasis was suspected at the outset.

The impact of weight for age on survival in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Report from a tertiary care center in North India

BACKGROUND

Undernutrition is considered to have a negative impact on survival in children with malignancies. The objective of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the morbidity pattern and outcome of therapy in undernourished (UN) children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of impact of weight for age was performed in children treated for ALL. The IAP & CDC criteria for undernutrition were used in the two different time periods of analysis.

RESULTS

There were two cohorts in the study: Between 1995 and 2005, 360 children were evaluated where the weight for age was classified using the Indian Academy of Pediatrics criteria for undernourishment (Group A). Group B of the study included 373 children treated from 2007 to 2011, who were graded as per the Centers for Disease Control criteria for weight for age. In Group A, 35% of the children were malnourished at presentation. The morbidity and supportive care needed in the well-nourished and UN group were similar. The event-free survival and mortality were similar in both groups. Analysis of Group B showed an overall survival of 62.6% with a greater survival in children with a weight of ≥10th centile for age compared to children at the <10th centile, (P = 0.026) with a higher mortality (P = 0.011) in the UN group.

CONCLUSION

Our data have yielded conflicting results. The older cohort did not show a significant difference in survival using malnutrition as a risk factor. However, in the subsequent cohort, a difference in survival was noted. This could be due to the reason that different criteria for classification of undernutrition were applied in the two groups. This analysis lays the foundation for a future prospective analysis to evaluate nutrition as an independent risk factor nutrition as an independent risk factor in the outcome of childhood malignancies.

Invasive bacterial infections in a pediatric oncology unit in a tertiary care center

BACKGROUND

Multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens are becoming a major problem worldwide, more so in the immunocompromised hosts resulting in the urgent need of antibiotic stewardship.

PURPOSE

To analyze the organisms isolated and the drug resistance pattern in a pediatric oncology unit.

RESULTS

Data pertaining to infections with 128 positive cultures in patients with febrile neutropenia over a period of 1-year are presented. The unit antibiotic policy is decided depending on the sensitivity of the prevailing common organisms. We isolated Gram-negative organisms in 56% cases. Escherichia coli and Klebseilla were the most frequent lactose fermenting Gram-negative Bacilli and Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter the nonfermenting Gram-negative Bacilli. Only 20-30% of the Gram-negative organisms cultured were sensitive to a 3rd/4th generation cephalosporin. The combination of a beta-lactam/inhibitor covered 2/3rd of Gram-negative organisms. About 80% of the organisms were sensitive to carbapenems. There was no colistin resistance. About 44% of our cultures grew a Gram-positive bacterial organism and included coagulase negative Staphylococcus. We had an incidence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus to be 30%. About 30% of the enterococci isolated in our unit were vancomycin-resistant enterococci. About 23% of patients with a positive bacterial culture died.

CONCLUSIONS

Infections in pediatric cancer patient's account for about 15-20% of the deaths in developing countries as these patients are at a high risk for developing MDR infections. Resistance rates among Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms have increased worldwide. Every unit needs a rational antibiotic policy. Antibiotic de-escalation and judicious decrease in the duration of antibiotics needs to be practiced.

Impact of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2% in obligate β-thalassemia heterozygotes

INTRODUCTION

The potential impact of concomitant iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2 (HbA2)-based identification of β-thalassemia trait (βTT) is a worrisome issue for screening laboratories. This is especially true for resource-constrained settings where iron deficiency is widespread and molecular confirmatory tests for borderline low HbA2 values may be unavailable.

METHODS

Obligate βTT carrier individuals (n = 752) were identified during screening studies on the parents of thalassemia major patients. HbA2%, complete blood counts and serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation were studied. Iron-deficient individuals (n = 135) with normal range HbA2% were taken as controls.

RESULTS

Concomitant iron deficiency (defined as ferritin ≤15 ng/mL and/or transferrin saturation ≤15%) was present in 20.7% (156/752) βTT cases, that is, 33.3% females (122/366) and 8.8% males with βTT (34/386). Mean HbA2 in iron-replete βTT was 5.4 ± 0.8 (range 3.1-7.9) and in iron-deficient βTT was 5.4 ± 0.9 (range 3.3-7.6). HbA2 < 4.0% was found in 23/752 (3.1%) βTT: 13/595 iron-replete (2.2%) and 10/157 (6.4%) iron-deficient βTT individuals. However, five of the 10 iron-deficient βTT cases carried the silent CAP+1 (A>C) β-thalassemia allele accounting for the borderline HbA2%. On a separate analysis, all five severely anemic βTT (Hb < 80 g/L) and 16/17 βTT with severe hypoferritinemia (<5 ng/mL) had HbA2 > 4.5%. The single case with serum ferritin 4.8 ng/mL and HbA2 3.3% showed a CAP+1 (A>C) mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron deficiency was prevalent among north Indian βTT individuals, especially women. After adjusting for other causes of low HbA2 in βTT, iron deficiency, even when very severe, was very unlikely to interfere significantly with HbA2-based identification of βTT.

FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF LYMPH NODES IN HIV INFECTED PATIENTS

Lymphadenopathy is the commonest presentation in HIV positive individuals. Fine needle aspiration cytology of 196 HIV positive patients was studied during six monthly review. 75% paients in this study who were asymptomatic were detected to have lymphadenopathy during the surveillance. 82% had lymph nodes smaller than 1cm size. Lymphadenopathy at more than one site was observed in 46.8% cases. Commonest opportunistic infection noticed was tuberculosis (TB) in 34.2%. Cyto-morphologically reactive pattern with Add fast bacilli (AFB) positivity was observed in 16.4% of TB cases. In 2.9% cases AFB were detected even in the tissue fluid. Negative images of AFB were observed in the macrophages in 3 cases. TB was detected with equal frequency in both asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. Axillary nodes pose problem due to deeper location. False positives were a case of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy and a case of Kimura's disease. False negatives include two cases of TB lymphadenitis. Pathogens should be looked for irrespective of cyto-morphology. Biopsy should be done to confirm cases of lymphomas. Fine needle aspiration cytology should be included in the protocol of six monthly review of HIV infected cases.

Matrix type transdermal therapeutic systems of glibenclamide: Formulation, ex vivo and in vivo characterization

Matrix type transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) of glibenclamide were formulated using polymers Eudragit RL 100, ethyl cellulose, PVP K-30, and polyvinyl acetate, and citral was used as the penetration enhancer. The polymer films were formulated with Eudragit RL 100 and PVP K-30 in different ratios and subsequently subjected to ex vivo studies (drug permeation through rat skin) followed by interaction studies, skin irritation studies, accelerated stability analysis, and in vivo studies (determination of blood glucose level in rabbits). The drug content of the formulations was found to be 99.1-99.2%. The cumulative percentages of drug permeated through rat skin from the three selected formulations in 48 h were 95.3%, 98.8%, and 99%, respectively. A plot between cumulative percent of drug permeated and square root of time exhibited linear curves, which suggests the Higuchian matrix mechanism of drug release. The formulation containing Eudragit RL 100 and PVP K-30 showed better improvement in hypoglycemic activity in rabbits (56.2-60.8% reduction in blood glucose level, p < 0.05). There were fewer fluctuations in blood glucose level as compared to oral therapy due to controlled release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and no interaction was found between the drug and excipients of the formulation. Accelerated stability analysis showed that the formulation was stable up to 5.5 years, with negligible skin irritation. The formulation precluded severe hypoglycemic reactions (side effect of sulfonylureas) and was effective for management of diabetes mellitus up to 48 h, with a single TTS.

Testicular relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the challenges and lessons

BACKGROUND

Relapse of disease is documented in 15-20% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Although testicular relapse is rare with modern risk-adapted treatment protocols, earlier, the testes were a frequently encountered site of relapse and were designated as "drug sanctuaries".

PURPOSE

This descriptive study was designed to assess the pattern of testicular relapse and to identify high-risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data obtained from case records of 407 boys with ALL were analyzed. Fine needle aspiration cytology was carried out in children presenting with painless enlargement of testi(e)s. Bone marrow aspiration and cerebrospinal fluid examination were performed concomitantly to confirm or exclude disease at these sites.

RESULTS

Testicular relapse was documented in 30 boys. It was isolated in 17 patients and associated with bone marrow and/or central nervous system relapse in 13. At relapse, nine boys were over the age of 10 years. The majority were very early and early relapsers. Hyperleucocytosis was documented in five of 30 and seven of 137 relapsers and nonrelapsers, respectively (P = 0.04). Twelve of the 30 boys with testicular relapse were treated with testicular irradiation, reinduction and maintenance therapy. The estimated median overall survival was 33 months.

CONCLUSION

Testicular relapse, which depends on the therapy administered, may manifest several months/years after completion of treatment. The high incidence of testicular relapse in our series implicates the need of revaluation of our protocol and incorporation of high/intermediate dose methotrexate therapy upfront.

Overt testicular disease at diagnosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: prognostic significance and role of testicular irradiation

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prognostic impact of overt testicular disease (OTD) at diagnosis and role of testicular irradiation in the same.

METHODS

Data of 579 boys treated at our center over 16 years was reviewed.

RESULTS

Fourteen (2.4%) males had OTD. 10 (71.4%) of these had high-risk disease. Patients with OTD, had a significantly higher incidence of mediastinal-adenopathy (p=0.001), hyperleucocytosis (p=0.004) and CNS disease at presentation (p<0.0001) compared to patients in continuous complete remission (CCR). 4 of the 11 patients with OTD, who opted for therapy, had relapse; 2 are in CCR. Although, survival in patients with OTD was inferior (p=0.183) compared to patients without OTD, it was not an independent prognostic factor (p=0.47). In the entire study cohort, symptom-diagnosis interval (p=0.006), white cell (p=0.001) and platelet count (p=0.001) at presentation were significantly associated with survival (Cox multivariate regression analysis).

CONCLUSIONS

OTD was not an independent prognostic factor, despite association with high-risk features. Survival outcome was inferior. The observations indicate the need of revaluation of the present protocol with incorporation of intermediate dose and subsequently high-dose methotrexate (after assessment for toxicity and tolerance), risk-stratified therapy and plausibly omission of testicular irradiation.

Investigation of Burkholderia cepacia complex in septicaemic patients in a tertiary care hospital, India

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is being increasingly recognized as an important pathogen of humans. During the year 2007-8, 39 putative BCC isolates were obtained from 21 cases and subjected to recA PCR RFLP. Twenty-four isolates were confirmed as Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIA (nineteen isolates, recA PCR RFLP type G and five isolates, recA PCR RFLP type I), six were confirmed as B. cepacia (recA PCR RFLP type E). BCC were isolated from inpatients of different wards of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh with increased isolation from children admitted to different wards of Advanced Pediatric Centre (11/21 cases). BCC isolates are often resistant to most commonly used antibiotics and an early use of effective antimicrobial therapy can decrease morbidity and mortality.