Transfer of atopy following bone marrow transplantation

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow transplantation is an optimal treatment of acute leukemia and aplastic anemia. Allergic manifestations in recipients long after bone marrow transplantation have been reported. A case involving transfer of atopy manifested as food allergy-induced-atopic dermatitis is reported.

METHODS

The donor and the patient were investigated by prick tests and RAST to the same food allergens. Single blind, oral challenge to egg documented food allergy in the recipient.

RESULTS

A 5-year-old boy without history of atopy developed severe atopic dermatitis after bone marrow transplantation from his HLA-identical sister for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient's course had been marked previously by acute graft versus host disease and cytomegalovirus infection. Immunoallergic evaluation showed an exquisite sensitization to egg, peanut, and soybean. Total IgE was 6400 KIU/L. Concomitantly, the donor showed the same sensitizations. Absolute avoidance resulted in the regression of atopic dermatitis. Subsequently, new sensitization to wheat flour, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, birch, and plantain pollens was detected. The donor developed asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

This case gives evidence of the transfer of sensitization from donor to recipient. The passive transfer of memory cells within the bone marrow inoculum is a possible mechanism. The current concept of allergy supports down regulation of Th1 cells to the benefit of Th2 cells. Additional deregulation induced by acute graft versus host disease, cytomegalovirus infection, and immunosuppression is possible.

[Morbidity and mortality from acute drug poisoning in France]

In France, drugs are responsible for 40% of accidental poisonings in children and 80% of voluntary poisonings in adults. The annual incidence voluntary drug poisonings is evaluated at 4 per 1000 individuals. Their morbidity and severity have decreased considerably during the past 25 years. A toxic symptom is found in less of 50% of the cases. The fraction of patients hospitalized for drug poisoning mortality is low (0.1%), principally in adult voluntary poisoning. The benzodiazepins are responsible for 80% of the poisonings but they are much less toxic than barbiturates. The development of preventive actions and pharmacologic and toxicologic vigilance allowed to limit use of the most dangerous psychotropic drugs or to remove them from the market.

Cobalamin deficiency with megaloblastic anaemia in one patient under long-term omeprazole therapy

The first case of cobalamin deficiency with megaloblastic anaemia in a patient under long-term omeprazole therapy is presented. This patient received omeprazole at a daily dose of 40-60 mg for 4 years as treatment for a gastro-oesophagal reflux complicated by peptic oesophagitis. Seric vitamin B12 was dramatically decreased at 80 pmol L-1. The Schilling test was normal (13%) with crystalline [57Co] cobalamin and it was at 0% with [57Co] cobalamin-labelled trout meat. All other assimilation tests were normal except an expiratory hydrogen breath test performed with lactulose. The haematological status was restored after intramuscular treatment with cobalamin. In conclusion, prolonged omeprazole therapy can be responsible for a cobalamin deficiency due to protein-bound cobalamin malabsorption.

[Monoclonal gammopathy and primary hyperparathyroidism. Apropos of 2 cases and review of the literature]

Frequency of primary hyperparathyroidism (HP) is increased in neoplasia. Though uncommon, both HP and monoclonal gammopathy are not exceptionally associated as seen in a literature review reporting 24 observations. The mechanism of this association remains unclear but does not seems coincidental. Association of hypercalcemia with gammopathy does not suggest systematically malignant hypercalcemia and implies the search for hyperparathyroidism. The authors report two patients presenting respectively a multiple IgD myeloma and an monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined signification associated with a parathyroid adenoma.

[Ki-1 positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma disclosed by mucocutaneous ulcerations and glomerulonephritis]

Malignant lymphoma particularly of T phenotype can be associated with specific or non specific cutaneous lesions. These cutaneous manifestations can occur at the onset of the disease being sometimes the revealing sign or they can appear during the course of the lymphoreticular malignancies. Glomerulonephritis was also described in lymphoma. Ki-1 positive large cell lymphoma was recently identified. A new case is reported with lymphadenopathy and intestinal localisation revealed by cutaneous and mucosal ulcerations principally in the mouth and a focal segmental glomerulonephritis with endo- and extracapillary proliferation. The absence of lymphoma in cutaneous and renal lesions and the clinical presentation support the hypothesis of paraneoplastic manifestations, may be related to a vasculitis.

Epstein-Barr virus lymphoproliferative disease of donor origin after kidney transplantation: a case report

A case of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated B lymphoproliferative disorder presented as a renal transplant obstruction is reported. The diagnosis was made from histology, immunohistochemistry, and EBV expression studies. Cytogenetic analysis showed the tumor to be of donor origin and revealed chromosomal translocation 46, XY, inv (1)(p35; q41), involving the EBV insertion site 1(1p35) and transforming growth factor beta 2(1q41) loci.