Long-term acyclovir for prevention of varicella zoster virus disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation--a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Long-term ultra-low-dose acyclovir against varicella-zoster virus reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

To evaluate the efficacy of long-term prophylaxis with ultra-low-dose acyclovir against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, we analyzed the records of 242 Japanese adult patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the first time from 1995 to 2006 at our hospital. We started long-term oral acyclovir at 200 mg/day in July 2001. Acyclovir was continued until the end of immunosuppressive therapy and at least 1 year after transplantation. Sixty-six patients developed VZV reactivation at a median of 248 days after HSCT, with a cumulative incidence of 34.7%. Only one breakthrough reactivation occurred during long-term acyclovir, which responded well to therapeutic dose of valacyclovir. The use of long-term acyclovir was the only independent determinant that significantly decreased the overall incidence of VZV reactivation (20% vs. 50%, P < 0.0001). With this prophylaxis, visceral dissemination and serious complications other than post-herpetic neuralgia was completely eliminated, and thereby need for hospitalization was significantly reduced (21% vs. 71%, P = 0.0034). Fifteen of the 57 patients who discontinued acyclovir developed VZV reactivation, with a cumulative incidence of 32.1%. VZV reactivation following discontinuation tended to occur in patients who were receiving immunosuppressive therapy at the cessation of acyclovir. These findings suggested that long-term prophylaxis of ultra-low-dose acyclovir resulted in a successful prevention of severe VZV-related symptoms and death, with a significantly decreased overall incidence of VZV reactivation. Prolongation of prophylactic acyclovir on profound immunosuppression might be important for thorough suppression of VZV reactivation.

Factors influencing varicella zoster virus infection after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: low-dose acyclovir prophylaxis and pre-transplant diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is one of the frequent opportunistic infections after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, with a high incidence of 30-50%. However, no data have been reported on VZV infection after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report a retrospective analysis of VZV infection in 192 allogeneic PBSCT recipients. Twenty-seven patients (14%) received long-term prophylaxis of low-dose acyclovir (200 mg twice daily orally > or =3 months) for recurrent oral (n=21) or genital herpes simplex virus infection (n=5) or for a previous history of recurrent VZV infection (n=1).

RESULTS

Forty-two patients (22%) developed VZV infections: localized (n=37) and disseminated infection (n=5). The incidence of VZV infection at 1 and 3 years was 19.3+/-3.3% and 36.8+/-5.2%, respectively. Complications included post-herpetic neuralgia (n=18, 43%), secondary bacterial infections (n=3), and intracranial hemorrhage (n=1) with 2 deaths. A higher risk factor for VZV infection was pre-transplant diagnosis of a lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD): chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (P=0.021, 52.5% in LPD vs. 32.6% in non-LPD group). The use of low-dose acyclovir prophylaxis (P=0.043, 14.7% in acyclovir vs. 41.6% in nonacyclovir group) was found to be protective. Although no VZV infection episodes were noted during the period of acyclovir prophylaxis, 3 episodes of VZV infection were noted after acyclovir cessation.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of VZV infection after PBSCT was high at 36.8%, with patients transplanted for LPDs at higher risk. The long-term use of low-dose acyclovir may be protective for VZV infection, although it does not completely prevent rebound of late VZV infection.

Management of oral infections in cancer patients

The myelosuppressive and mucosal-damaging consequences of cancer and cancer therapies place patients at high risk for developing infectious complications. Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections are all commonly encountered in the oral cavity, contributing to both morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Prevention, early and definitive diagnosis, and appropriate management are critical to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. With the majority of cancer patients treated as outpatients in the community setting, oral health care professionals play an important role in managing such infectious complications of cancer therapy.

One-year acyclovir prophylaxis for preventing varicella-zoster virus disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation: no evidence of rebound varicella-zoster virus disease after drug discontinuation

No consensus exists on whether acyclovir prophylaxis should be given for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) prophylaxis after hematopoietic cell transplantation because of the concern of “rebound” VZV disease after discontinuation of prophylaxis. To determine whether rebound VZV disease is an important clinical problem and whether prolonging prophylaxis beyond 1 year is beneficial, we examined 3 sequential cohorts receiving acyclovir from day of transplantation until engraftment for prevention of herpes simplex virus reactivation (n = 932); acyclovir or valacyclovir 1 year (n = 1117); or acyclovir/valacyclovir for at least 1 year or longer if patients remained on immunosuppressive drugs (n = 586). In multivariable statistical models, prophylaxis given for 1 year significantly reduced VZV disease (P < .001) without evidence of rebound VZV disease. Continuation of prophylaxis beyond 1 year in allogeneic recipients who remained on immunosuppressive drugs led to a further reduction in VZV disease (P = .01) but VZV disease developed in 6.1% during the second year while receiving this strategy. In conclusion, acyclovir/valacyclovir prophylaxis given for 1 year led to a persistent benefit after drug discontinuation and no evidence of a rebound effect. To effectively prevent VZV disease in long-term hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors, additional approaches such as vaccination will probably be required.

Risk factors for fatal infectious complications developing late after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Infectious complications remain a major problem contributing to significant mortality after hematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Few studies have previously analyzed mortality due to late infections. Forty-four patients dying from an infectious complication were identified from a cohort of 688 consecutive patients surviving more than 6 months without relapse. A control group of 162 patients was selected using the year of HSCT as the matching criterion. Out of 44 patients, 30 (68%) died from pneumonia, 7/44 (16%) from sepsis, 5/44 (11%) from central nervous system infection and 2/44 (4.5%) from disseminated varicella. The cumulative incidences of different types of infection were 1.6% for viral, 1.5% for bacterial and 1.3% for fungal infections and 0.15% for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. The majority (66%) of the lethal infections occurred within 18 months after HSCT. Acute GVHD (relative risk (RR): 7.19, P<0.0001), chronic GVHD (RR: 6.49, P<0.001), CMV infection (RR: 4.69, P=0.001), mismatched or unrelated donor (RR: 3.86, P=0.004) and TBI (RR: 2.65, P=0.047) were independent risk factors of dying from a late infection. In conclusion, infections occurring later than 6 months after HSCT are important contributors to late non-relapse mortality after HSCT. CMV infection or acute GVHD markedly increase the risk.

Risk factors for late infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a matched related donor

After allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), early infections represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality but little information has been previously reported on late infections. Late infection incidence and risk factors were retrospectively determined in 196 long-term survivors after HLA matched related HSCT. Patients transplanted for aplastic anemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were included. Median follow-up was 8 years. Thirty patients died beyond the first year, causes of death were relapse (n = 10) and infections (n = 19, associated with graft-versus-host disease [GVHD] in 16 patients). Late severe bacterial (LSB) and fungal infections occurred in 30 and 8 patients, yielding to an 8-year cumulative incidence of 15 (95%CI: 10-20) and 4% (95%CI: 1-6), respectively. The majority of viral infections were hepatitis C (HCV) and VZV (8-year cumulative incidence: 10 (95%CI: 5-14) and 27% (95%CI: 20-34), respectively. Three risk factors for LSB have been identified in multiple Cox analysis: CMV status (positive recipient and negative donor) (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.1-5.9, P = .033), irradiation-based conditioning regimen (HR: 3.1, 95%CI: 1.2-7.8, P = .016), and extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD; HR: 2.9, 95%CI: 1.3-6.9, P = .013). Extensive cGVHD was the only risk factor for non-HCV viral infections in patients transplanted for AML or CML (HR: 2.7, 95%CI: 1.4-5.1, P = .002). After HSCT, patients remain at high risk of infections even late after transplantation, in particular, with the above risk factors, and required a prolonged follow-up.

[Antiviral therapy: from influenza to Pfeiffer's disease]

Antiviral drug therapy has rapidly evolved in recent years. A large number of specific inhibitors against newly detected viral targets has been developed. Viral infections except HIV and viral hepatitis infections are clinically relevant mostly in severely immunocompromised patients. Especially respiratory viral infections and herpes virus infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality in these patients. Therapeutic and preventive strategies have been developed for a number of these infections. There is high priority for the development of new substances for a number of viruses not yet treatable and substances active against resistant viral strains.

The management and outcome of chronic graft-versus-host disease

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a common complication following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). It is the leading cause of non-relapse mortality in transplant survivors and has a significant impact upon their functional status and quality of life. Despite significant advances being made in the field of HCT over the past 25 years, there has been little change in the incidence, morbidity and mortality of cGVHD. This is partly because of a lack of understanding about the pathogenesis of the disorder but also because a lack of well validated grading systems and outcome measures has hindered clinical research. Strategies for prophylaxis have largely been unsuccessful and may compromise the graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) effect. Standard primary treatment remains a combination of corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. There is no standard therapy for those who fail to respond to corticosteroids. Many agents have been studied but there is an urgent need for systematic research to compare the efficacy of different approaches. Infection is the leading cause of death among patients with cGVHD so antimicrobial prophylaxis is mandatory. A multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients with cGVHD is essential to adequately address its effects on both physical and psychological functioning.

Risk assessment in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: viral status

Viral infections have been important complications in the transplant procedure from the early days of stem-cell transplantation, causing significant morbidity and mortality. It is important for the management of patients to assess the risk for viral infections that might develop after the stem-cell transplantation. This can be exemplified by cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other herpesviruses, but risk assessment is also important for other viral infections. The aim of this review is to describe current knowledge regarding recipient and donor serological status for viral infections.

Safety of vaccinating sibling donors with live-attenuated varicella zoster vaccine before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV), clinically manifested as herpes zoster (HZ) is a common complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The optimum prophylaxis for this disease has not been defined. In this study, we examined the effects of vaccinating donors with a live-attenuated vaccine with particular reference to their immune responses and the outcome of HSCT patients. Forty prospective HLA-matched sibling donors were vaccinated before HSCT. There were humoral immune responses in both sero-positive (P<0.01) and sero-negative (P=0.058) donors. Cellular immune response was assayed in 26 donors. Significant correlation was observed between cellular immune responses as enumerated by thymidine incorporation and interferon gamma secretion (P<0.001) and the latter was used in subsequent analyses. Significant response was observed in sero-negative (6/26) and a group of sero-positive (13/26) donors while 7/26 sero-positive donors showed no response. Thirty-four HSCT were performed. These patients have a lower, albeit insignificant, risk of HZ compared with historical controls and only 3/34 patients developed single dermatomal HZ at 6, 9 and 28 months after HSCT. No patients developed VZV-related mortality. Vaccinating donors with live-attenuated VZV vaccine was safe, but whether it confers a significant protection to the patients would require further study.

Herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses: forgotten but not gone

Herpesvirus infections are common complications of organ transplantation. The most frequent herpesvirus infections are caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex (HSV) and varicella zoster (VZV). Despite expansion of the therapeutic armamentarium, HSV and VZV continue to cause morbidity and occasional mortality in transplant recipients. Here we review the incidence and risk factors for HSV and VZV disease, their clinical presentation, effects of newer immunosuppressive regimens and prophylaxis for HSV and VZV in solid organ transplant recipients.

Ancillary therapy and supportive care of chronic graft-versus-host disease: national institutes of health consensus development project on criteria for clinical trials in chronic Graft-versus-host disease: V. Ancillary Therapy and Supportive Care Working Group Report

The Ancillary Therapy and Supportive Care Working Group had 3 goals: (1) to establish guidelines for ancillary therapy and supportive care in chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), including treatment for symptoms and recommendations for patient education, preventive measures, and appropriate follow-up; (2) to provide guidelines for the prevention and management of infections and other common complications of treatment for chronic GVHD; and (3) to highlight the areas with the greatest need for clinical research. The definition of "ancillary therapy and supportive care" embraces the most frequent immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory interventions used with topical intent and any other interventions directed at organ-specific control of symptoms or complications resulting from GVHD and its therapy. Also included in the definition are educational, preventive, and psychosocial interventions with this same objective. Recommendations are organized according to the strength and quality of evidence supporting them and cover the most commonly involved organs, including the skin, mouth, female genital tract, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Recommendations are provided for prevention of infections, osteoporosis, and steroid myopathy and management of neurocognitive and psychosocial adverse effects related to chronic GVHD. Optimal care of patients with chronic GVHD often requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Viral Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies

Viral infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality for patients with a hematological malignancy. However, the true incidence and consequences of viral infections for these patients who undergo conventional nontransplant therapy are poorly defined. The difference in incidence and outcome of viral infections among patient groups is wide, but dependent upon the intensity and duration of T-cell–mediated immune suppression. Infections caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza viruses and influenza viruses have been intensely studied, yet newly recognized aspects of these viral infections including late CMV infection; the emergence of new viral pathogens (human herpesvirus-6, BK virus, adenovirus, and human metapneumovirus); the development of molecular diagnostic techniques, and the potential of new agents for viral prophylaxis (maribavir), or preemptive therapy (valganciclovir) form the basis of this review. Well-designed prospective studies are needed to better clarify the spectrum of these viral infections and develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. Yet the increased use of agents like alemtuzumab that induce profound T-cell depletion demands that we develop a better understanding of viral infections that occur in patients with hematological malignancy who receive nontransplant therapy.