Hepatosplenic candidiasis in children with cancer. Three cases in leukemic children and a literature review

Invasive fungal infections in pediatric leukemia patients receiving fluconazole prophylaxis

BACKGROUND

Children with acute leukemia have increased risk for invasive fungal infections (IFI) but the role of long term antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) in morbidity and mortality of IFI is not well-known.

PROCEDURE

Medical records of 154 children with acute leukemia who received AFP with fluconazole during intensive chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed to determine risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcome of IFI.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of IFI was 13.6%. Frequencies of proven, probable and possible infections were 7.2%, 2.6%, and 3.8%, respectively. The causative agent was Candida in 12 (57.2%) and Aspergillus in 9 (42.8%) children. There were 10 children with candidemia (47.6%), 7 with pulmonary aspergillosis (33.4%), 2 with hepatosplenic candidiasis (10.0%), one with sinopulmonary aspergillosis (4.5%) and one with sinus aspergillosis (4.5%). IFI was twice as common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (20.7%) than in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (10.2%). Duration of profound neutropenia (P = 0.01) and steroid medications (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with IFI in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) was successful in 15 of 21 children as a single agent. Voriconazole produced complete response in four children with invasive aspergillosis and two with hepatosplenic candidiasis, who were unresponsive to L-AMB. The rate of IFI attributable death was 5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that AFP with fluconazole and early empirical antifungal therapy may be effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of IFI in children with acute leukemia.

Progressive reduction in treatment-related deaths in Medical Research Council childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia trials from 1980 to 1997 (UKALL VIII, X and XI)

In the last 20 years, the survival rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has markedly improved, largely owing to a decrease in relapses. However, children still die from complications of treatment and these are potentially preventable. We have analysed data from three large consecutive national protocols for ALL from 1980 to 1997 [Medical Research Council United Kingdom ALL (MRC UKALL) trials VIII, X and XI] to compare the incidence and causes of treatment-related deaths (TRD). The percentage of TRD has fallen from 9% to 2% (UKALL VIII to XI), largely as a result of a decrease in fatal infections. Deaths during induction have fallen from 3% to 1%, the main causes of death being bacterial, followed by fungal infection, while other causes, chiefly haemorrhage, have not declined. Remission deaths also decreased from 6% to 1%, particularly those deaths due to measles and pneumocystis carinii. More guidelines for surveillance and treatment of infections have been included within progressively more intensive protocols. Risk factor analysis showed increased TRD in patients with Down's syndrome, high leucocyte count and older age in UKALL XI. In contrast, the introduction of blocks of intensification was not associated with an increased death rate. While improved supportive care has reduced the incidence of TRD, there is still scope for further reduction by prompt treatment of suspected infection. Maintenance of herd immunity remains of vital importance in avoiding deaths from measles.

Hepatosplenic candidiasis. A manifestation of chronic disseminated candidiasis

Much progress has been made over the last decade in diagnosing and treating CDC, a chronic and debilitating infection that interferes with the delivery of intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with leukemia. The use of fluconazole prophylaxis in these patients has decreased the incidence of CDC dramatically. The greatest future challenges are gaining a better understanding of its pathophysiology, and the continued development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to treat this unusual manifestation of systemic candidiasis.

Prevention of infection in children with acute leukaemia. No major difference between total and selective bowel decontamination

To evaluate the effect of total bowel decontamination (TD) and selective bowel decontamination (SD) in a non-protective environment clinical and laboratory data of children treated for acute leukaemia between 1983 and 1991 were analysed retrospectively. From 1983 until 1989 34 patients [18 acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL) patients, 16 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients] received TD and 31 patients (8 ANLL patients, 23 ALL patients) received SD from 1987 until 1991. TD consisted of colistin sulphate, neomycin, cephaloridine and amphotericin B orally as well as Orabase and sterilized food, while the patients were nursed in a single room. SD consisted of oral colistin sulphate, neomycin and amphotericin B. Those patients with ANLL were nursed in a single room; patients with ALL were nursed in a single room during remission induction therapy only. All patients except those with ANLL receiving TD received Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole. Because the two groups were heterogeneous for diagnosis and chemotherapy the occurrence of fever (central body temperature at least 38.5 degrees C) and major infections (septicaemia of infections of the deep tissues or organs) were registered during periods of neutropenia (neutrophilic granulocytes < or = 500/mm3 for at least 8 days). Patients on TD had 55 periods of neutropenia, patients on SD 80. Patients on TD had 89.1 periods of fever/100 periods of neutropenia whereas patients on SD had 56.3. Also patients on TD had 27.3 major infections/100 periods of neutropenia whereas patients on SD had 11.3. Major infections predominantly consisted of septicaemia caused by gram-positive bacteria. We conclude that, in this study, TD in a non-protective environment does not offer better protection against major infections that SD in patients with ALL or ANLL.