Both Granulocytic and Non-Granulocytic Blood Cells Are Affected in Patients with Severe Congenital Neutropenia and Their Non-Neutropenic Family Members: An Evaluation of Morphology, Function, and Cell Death

Objective:

To examine granulocytic and non-granulocytic cells in children with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) and their non-neutropenic parents.

Materials and Methods:

Fifteen patients with SCN and 21 non-neutropenic parents were evaluated for a) CD95, CD95 ligand, annexin V, propidium iodide, cell cycle, and lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry; b) rapid cell senescence (of leukocytes) by senescence-associated β-galactosidase stain; c) aggregation tests by aggregometer; d) in vitro bleeding time by PFA-100 instrument; e) mepacrine-labeled dense granule number of thrombocytes by fluorescence microscope; and f) hematomorphology by light and electron microscope. HAX1, ELANE, G6PC3, CSF3R, and JAGN1 mutations associated with SCN were studied in patients and several parents.

Results:

Significant increase in apoptosis and secondary necrosis in monocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes of the patients and parents was detected, irrespective of the mutation type. CD95 and CD95 ligand results implied that apoptosis was non-CD95-mediated. Leukocytes of 25%, 12.5%, and 0% of patients, parents, and controls showed rapid cell senescence. The cell cycle analysis testable in four cases showed G1 arrest and apoptosis in lymphocytes of three. The patients had HAX1 (n=6), ELANE (n=2), G6PC3 (n=2), and unidentified (n=5) mutations. The CD3, CD4, and NK lymphocytes were below normal levels in 16.6%, 8.3%, and 36.4% of the patients and in 0%, 0%, and 15.4% of the parents (controls: 0%, 0%, 5.6%). The thrombocytes aggregated at low rates, dense granule number/thrombocyte ratio was low, and in vitro bleeding time was prolonged in 37.5%-66.6% of patients and 33.3%-63.2% of parents (vs. 0% in controls). Under electron and/or light microscope, the neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and thrombocytes in the peripheral blood of both patients and parents were dysplastic and the bone marrow of patients revealed increased phagocytic activity, dysmegakaryopoiesis, and necrotic and apoptotic cells. Ultrastructurally, thrombocyte adhesion, aggregation, and release were inadequate.

Conclusion:

In cases of SCN, patients’ pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells and their non-neutropenic parents are both affected irrespective of the genetic defect.

Transcobalamin II Deficiency in Four Cases with Novel Mutations

Objective:

Transcobalamin II deficiency is one of the rare causes of inherited vitamin B12 disorders in which the patients have characteristically normal or high vitamin B12 levels related to the transport defect of vitamin B12 into the cell, ending up with intracellular cobalamin depletion and high homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels.

Materials and Methods:

Herein, we describe the findings at presentation of four patients who were diagnosed to have transcobalamin II deficiency with novel mutations.

Results:

These patients with transcobalamin II deficiency were found to have novel mutations, of whom 2 had the same large deletion (homozygous c.1106+1516-1222+1231del).

Conclusion:

Transcobalamin II deficiency should be considered in differential diagnosis of any infant with pancytopenia, failure to thrive, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and idarubicin (FLAG-IDA) for the treatment of children with poor-prognosis acute leukemia: the Hacettepe experience

Fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and idarubicin (FLAG-IDA) regimen has been proven to be a potentially useful chemotherapy regimen for relapsed or poor-prognosis childhood leukemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate complete remission (CR) rate, toxicity, and overall survival of children with poor-prognosis acute leukemia who received the FLAG-IDA regimen. Furthermore, the authors investigated the children who achieved CR following FLAG-IDA treatment regarding their eligibility for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Between January 2002 and April 2007, 25 children with poor-prognosis acute leukemia were treated with FLAG-IDA regimen in our center. Of the 25 children (16 AML, 9 ALL) with poor-prognosis acute leukemia, 7 (28.0%) received 1 cycle, 17 (68.0%) received 2 cycles, and 1 (4%) received 3 cycles of FLAG or FLAG-IDA regimen. After 44 cycles of FLAG-IDA or FLAG regimen, 10/25 (40%) children were nonresponders, 15/25 (60.0%) showed CR. Five (20%) of these patients in CR who underwent allogeneic HSCT are still in remission. The remaining 20 (80.0%) children were lost due to infection or relapse of the primary diseases. The overall survival of patients who are still alive and underwent allogeneic HSCT (mean: 40.6 ± 4.7, median: 40, range: 34-46 months) was longer than that of patients (mean: 5.5 ± 4.3, median: 4, range: 1-15 months) who did not undergo allogeneic HSCT. The CR rate was quite high in the present study using the FLAG-IDA regimen, and the authors believe this regimen is a possible option prior to allogeneic HSCT in children with poor-prognosis acute leukemia.

Measles, mumps, and rubella antibody status and response to immunization in children after therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Seventy-seven patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were in complete remission and whose therapies had been stopped for at least 6 months before enrollment in this study were retrospectively analyzed regarding their antibody status for measles, mumps, and rubella, with the aim to demonstrate the seropositivity rate after treatment in the authors' group. Each patient's serum samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to determine the antibody titers before and after immunization. Measles serology was available in 77 children; 45 (58%) were seronegative. Initial ages of measle-seronegative patients were statistically lower than those of seropositive cases (median 3.29 versus 4.91 years, respectively). Mumps serology was available in 76 children; 36 (47%) were seronegative. Mumps-seropositive cases tended to have more frequent previous history of infection than seronegative cases (55.0% versus 28.6%, respectively, P = .05). Rubella serology was available in 76 children, and 20 (26.3%) were seronegative. It was determined that initial ages of rubella-seronegative patients were statistically lower than those of seropositive cases (median 3.03 versus 4.32 years, respectively). The authors concluded based on the results of their study that at a median of 3.31 years after completion of chemotherapy for ALL, the majority of cases had antibody levels lower than protective values for measles (58.4%); however, these values were 47.3% for mumps and 26.3% for rubella. Seroconversion rates after measles (55%) and mumps vaccination (57.1%) were still low. However, in the available cases, relatively adequate response to rubella vaccination (92.3%) was observed.

Risks and outcome of fungal infection in neutropenic children with hematologic diseases

In this retrospective study, we report the results of antifungal treatments (AFTs) in febrile neutropenic episodes in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and aplastic anemia (AA) in our center. From January 2004 to December 2005, a total of 52 patients and 221 febrile neutropenic episodes were evaluated. AFT was started in 96 (43%) of the 221 episodes. Amphotericin B and fluconazole were used in 44 (46%) and 52 (54%) febrile neutropenic episodes, respectively. Microbiologically or histopathologically evident fungal infections were detected in 35 of 96 febrile neutropenic episodes. The mortality rate due to fungal infection was higher in patients with AA (7/8 patients) and AML (7/12 patients) than in ALL patients (1/32). Mortality for the whole group was 28%. When the mortality rate was compared between the two treatment groups (amphotericin B vs fluconazole), mortality was significantly higher in patients receiving amphotericin B [n = 14 (93%) and n = 1 (7%), respectively].

Acral erythema with bullous formation: a side effect of chemotherapy in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema (CIAE) with bullous formation is an uncommon complication in children. We describe herein a child who developed CIAE with bullous formation following high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The rash completely resolved within two weeks of the appearance without any specific treatment. CIAE may develop in children with hematological malignancies as a complication of pediatric chemotherapeutic regimens, and pediatricians should be aware of this phenomenon despite its rarity.

Evaluation of the effects of and earliest response rate to anti-D treatment in children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a pilot study

In this pilot study, 30 (14 male, 16 female; median age: 8 years, range: 2-18) chronic non-splenectomized idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients with Rh+ blood group and their 49 attacks were evaluated after intravenous (i.v.) anti-D (WinRho SDF, Cangene Corporation, Winnipeg, MB, Canada) treatment at a dose of 50 microg/kg x 3 days (n = 21 cases; 35 attacks) or a single dose of 75 microg/kg (n = 9 cases; 14 attacks) to define the hemostatic dose of anti-D. Five of 30 patients (22/49 attacks) were resistant to steroid, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and vincristine treatment. Hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBC), platelets (plt) and reticulocytes (ret) were evaluated before and after treatment during the follow-up in sequences on the 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st days after anti-D treatment if the patients had no symptom. All patients, even the resistant ones, experienced an increase in plt count to provide protection from bleeding (> or = 20 x 10(9)/L in patients with symptoms, > or = 10 x 10(9)/L in patients without symptoms). The plt responses of one resistant and five non-resistant patients treated with a single 75 microg/kg dose of i.v. anti-D in 8 attacks were monitored at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 24th and 48th hours of the treatment. A protective plt level was attained within 2 hours in 6 attacks of five non-resistant cases and in 24 hours in the remaining 2 attacks of one resistant case. This pilot study suggests that anti-D treatment in ITP patients is effective and can increase plt to a level adequate enough to protect from hemorrhage within 2 hours, when given in a 75 microg/kg dose. A few adverse events (i.e. chills, hemolysis and hemoglobinuria) resolved without intervention.

Alternative algorithm for L-asparaginase allergy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

L-asparaginase is a crucial chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The alternatives to L-asparaginase are not available in many parts of the world, including Turkey.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the utility of premedication with or without a desensitization protocol in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and systemic hypersensitivity reactions to Escherichia coli-asparaginase.

METHODS

In this prospective study patients with systemic hypersensitivity reactions to E coli-asparaginase for whom we were unable to ascertain/provide other alternatives to asparaginase were either premedicated, desensitized, or both to receive their chemotherapy as E coli-asparaginase according to the severity of the hypersensitivity reaction.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (13 male patients) with a mean age of 7.4 +/- 4.7 years experienced a systemic hypersensitivity reaction to E coli-asparaginase during a 4-year period. Polyethylene glycol-asparaginase could be used for 3 patients. Eight of the remaining 16 children, who had experienced anaphylaxis, were premedicated and desensitized with E coli-asparaginase, and in 7 patients treatment was tolerated. The other 8 patients, with acute allergic reactions to E coli-asparaginase, were premedicated first, and 5 of them showed no reaction subsequently. Three of them demonstrated systemic hypersensitivity reactions again (anaphylaxis, n = 3), and premedication and desensitization with E coli-asparaginase resulted in anaphylaxis. Polyethylene glycol-asparaginase was administered uneventfully to the patients who could be provided it.

CONCLUSION

E coli-asparaginase could be administered to more than half of the patients who had a hypersensitivity reaction, and all of these patients were able to receive their planned doses of asparaginase. In countries with shortages of alternative asparaginase preparations, our approach might be a suitable option.

The absence of peripheral blood blasts at diagnosis may predict CNS involvement or CNS relapse in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

A high tumor burden at the time of diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia has an unfavorable outcome. Peripheral white blood cell count is commonly used to reflect the leukemic burden and is used as one of the most important factors during determination of the risk-based treatment. However, peripheral blood blast count may not always reflect the tumor burden if leukocytes are not in blast nature. In the present study, we observed no central nervous system involvement at the time of diagnosis in patients with no peripheral blood blasts at the beginning, and furthermore, none of the patients with no peripheral blasts at the diagnosis had central nervous system relapse.

The prognostic impact of myeloid antigen expression in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

The incidence of mixed-lineage leukemias in the pediatric age group was previously reported as 13.8% for myeloid antigen-positive ALL and 11.1% for lymphoid antigen-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recent studies showed that extensive chemotherapy protocols overcome the risk of myeloid lineage. Our study also supports most of the previous data and we postulate that myeloid antigen expression in pediatric ALL cases has insignificant effect on clinical presentation, relapse rates and survival. Importantly, 54% of myeloid antigen-expressing ALL patients received high-risk treatment protocols for some other reasons and this may also have contributed to similar outcome in these patients to that observed in myeloid antigen-negative ALL patients.

Dysplasia and disorder of cell membrane entirety in iron-deficiency anemia

Peripheral blood smears of 43 patients (26 males, median age 18 months, range: 6-180 months) with nutritional iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) were examined for the presence of trilineage hematological dysplasia. Twelve patients were reexamined for dysplastic findings after achieving a normal Hb and hematocrit level for age by the end of 2-3 months of iron treatment. A control group of 17 age-matched healthy children were also included. Neutrophils with loss of membrane entirety and protrusions were remarkable in 34/43 (79%) in the IDA group versus 1/12 (8%) after iron treatment and none of the control group. Microspherocytes were seen in 9/43 (21%) of IDA patients. Additionally, trilienage dysplasia was observed in the bone marrow samples available in 3 of the patients. It has been shown that iron-deficiency results in cellular DNA and RNA alterations, cell-cycle G1/S phase arrest, and apoptosis. Rac GTPases have been shown to control actin cytoskeleton, influencing cell polarity, microtubule dynamics, and the cytoskeletal organization of hematopoietic cells. Thus, the findings described above in neutrophils and red cells suggest a plausible link between iron and the Rac GTPase gene family. It may be a new avenue for iron waiting for proof.

The evaluation of acquired aplastic anemia in children and unexpected frequency of varicella-zoster virus association: a single-center study

In this study, 32 patients under the age of 17 years with acquired aplastic anemia (AAA) were evaluated. Nine patients developed AAA associatedwith viral infection in which viral hepatitis and varicella infection were nearly equal. Four of the patients were administered drugs before developing AAA. Patients were treated as follows: combined immunosuppressive therapy (CIST) including anti-thymocyte or anti-lymphocyte globulin plus high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) and cyclosporin A and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (14 patients); mega-dose (30 mg/kg) methylprednisolone (8 patients); and HDMP combined with cyclosporin A or anapolon or cyclophosphamide (6 patients). Complete remission was seen in 10 patients and partial remission in 2 patients. The response rate was similar in the CIST and MDMP groups. The most striking findings of this study were the frequent association of AAA withvaricella infection and the low cure rate, which was due to patient non-compliance with the treatment and inadequate isolation conditions in the hospital.

Piperacillin/tazobactam plus amikacin versus carbapenem monotherapy as empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia in childhood hematological malignancies

A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of piperacillin/tazobactam and amikacin combination with carbapenem monotherapy for the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenic episodes of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloblastic leukemia. Patients aged 2-16 years with hematological malignancies who had febrile neutropenia were randomly assigned to receive piperacillin/tazobactam (80 mg/kg piperacillin/10 mg/kg tazobactam, q6h) combined with amikacin (PTA) (7.5 mg/kg, q12h) or meropenem or imipenem (20 mg/kg, q8h) (C). Response to antimicrobial therapy, evaluated for etiological agents, was measured. Duration of fever, neutropenia, and hospitalization, mortality, and the need for additional antibiotics or antifungal drugs were compared for the treatment success between the two groups. Out of 87 febrile neutropenic episodes that were evaluable for comparison, 46 patients received PTA and 41 patients were treated with carbapenems (imipenem or meropenem). Overall, the microbiologically documented infection rate was 21.9%, with Staphylococcus epidermidis as the most common cause of bacteremia. The rate of treatment modification was 56.5% in the PTA group and 53.6% in the carbapenem group with no statistical difference (p > .05). There was no infection-related mortality during the study period. There was no difference between the two regimens for durations of fever, neutropenia, and hospitalization (p > .05 for all categories). PTA was as effective as carbapenem monotherapy as an initial empirical regimen in febrile neutropenic episodes of pediatric hematological malignancies.

Weekly long-term intravenous immunoglobulin for refractory parvovirus B19 and Epstein-Barr virus-induced immune thrombocytopenic purpura

In pediatric acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) cases, it is usually possible to determine an underlying pathology; among them, viral infections are the leading causative agents. In this report, we describe two cases of acute ITP complicated secondary to parvovirus B19 or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections who were unresponsive to initial therapeutic measures, but who responded to long-term intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, given weekly for five to eight weeks.

Congenital dysgranulopoietic neutropenia

We investigated a 15-year-old female with congenital dysgranulopoietic neutropenia (CDN) and her non-neutropenic mother who had recurrent stomatitis. In both patients, cells of the neutrophilic, eosinophilic, monocytic, megakaryocytic, and basophilic series were dysmorphic. Plasmacytoid lymphocytes and mild megaloblastic erythroid precursors were present. Bleeding times of both patients were prolonged. The mother had a secondary aggregation defect; the number of the plasmacytoid lymphocytes, dense granules of platelets, and dysmorphic neutrophils, neutrophil chemotaxis, and myeloperoxidase content fluctuated according to the presence or not of aphthae. The daughter's karyotype revealed 46,XX/46,XX, t(1;8). No ELA2 or G-CSFR mutation was detected. These findings support stem cell involvement in CDN.

Favorable outcome with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric acquired aplastic anemia patients

The data of allogeneic HSCT in nine children with acquired AA between June 1998 and July 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. The median duration of time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 18 and 25 days, respectively. None of the patients had primary graft failure. Two (22.2%) patients developed acute GVHD and of these, one (11.1%) was Grade 1, and the other (11.1%) was Grade 3. Although the study group was composed of higher risk patients, including six of nine resistant to previous immunosuppressive treatment, eight had multiple not irradiated or filtered transfusion histories and one of the cases was only 5/6 HLA-compatible with his donor, the five-yr overall and EFS was 100%, and all recipients are alive without any graft failure. This may be attributed to the dose adjusted use of ATG according to individual transfusion history and gradual tapering of CsA and cessation at least nine months after allogeneic HSCT.

Varicella zoster-associated severe aplastic anemia in a child and its successful treatment with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from HLA-5/6-identical donor

BACKGROUND

Varicella zoster virus is very rarely associated with aplastic anemia. Bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling is the treatment of choice.

CASE REPORT

A seven-year-old boy presented with aplastic anemia (AA) following chicken pox infection. No clinical improvement was observed with pharmaceutical therapy and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) was performed from his HLA 5/6 identical mother. Since the transplantation, the patient has had a durable, trilineage hematological response for 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The present case with varicella zoster-associated aplastic anemia was non-responsive to conventional therapies (ATG protocol, ALG protocol, oxymethalone, and cyclosporine A) and successfully treated with bone marrow transplantation from his 5/6 identical mother.

Biotinidase deficiency and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia in a Turkish infant of consanguineous parents

Here, a case is presented with two rare genetic disorders, biotinidase deficiency and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, in a Turkish infant. This case may serve as a reminder that the diagnosis of a genetic disorder does not exclude the possibility of a second congenital but acquired disease.

Rapid cell senescence and apoptosis in lymphocytes and granulocytes and absence of GM-CSF receptor in congenital dysgranulopoietic neutropenia

A girl with congenital dysgranulopoietic neutropenia (CDN) and her non-neutropenic mother with aphthae (A) were investigated. Apoptosis in lymphocytes and granulocytes of both patients (mother A+) were documented by high annexin and electron microscopic morphology. CD11b/CD18 of the daughter's granulocytes ranged between low to normal while that of the mother changed between very low to high levels through A(-) to A(+) periods. In both patients, CD11b/CD18 on lymphocytes were high; GM-CSF receptor was negative; CD4-/CD8- lymphocytes were high and the leukocytes which showed abnormal cell cycle were stained by senescence associated beta-galactosidase. We think that increased apoptosis and rapid cell senescence of leukocytes underlies the pathophysiology of CDN.

The rate of hepatitis B and C virus infections and the importance of HBV vaccination in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate of hepatitis B and C virus infection and emphasize the importance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in leukemic children.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Hematology Unit were included in the study. They were 71 (44.4%) girls and 89 (55.6%) boys with a mean age of 6.45 +/- 3.87 years.

RESULTS

Of these 160 children, 22 (13.8%) were anti-HBs-positive and 138 (86.2%) were anti-HBs-negative at the diagnosis of ALL. Among the 138 anti-HBs-negative children, 67 (41.9%) were vaccinated for HBV during maintenance chemotherapy, and 71 (44.3%) could not be vaccinated. Two (2.9%) vaccinated and 22 (30.9%) unvaccinated children developed HBV infection during the follow-up period (P < 0.001). Among 160 children treated for ALL, 24 (15.0%) had HBV, three (1.9%) had hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, and 29 (18.1%) had toxic hepatitis. The majority of patients with HBV or HCV infections had high risk (HR) protocol, whereas most of the patients with toxic hepatitis had low risk (LR) protocol, especially St Jude Total XIII LR protocol.

CONCLUSION

Viral hepatitis and toxic hepatitis were observed more commonly in the HR and LR group, respectively, of ALL patients. This could be explained by intensive chemotherapy and more heavy blood product administration in the HR group and the chemotherapeutic agents of methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine, basic drugs used in the LR group. In respect to protection from these complications, periodical liver function tests, serological tests for HBV and HCV, and vaccination for HBV should be performed for all children with ALL.

Comparison of megadose methylprednisolone versus conventional dose prednisolone in hematologic disorders

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are known for their clinically useful effects in immunologic and inflammatory disorders. Although there is a huge volume of knowledge concerning the cellular and molecular effects of GCs, statements regarding their effects in multiple diseases at variable doses are not clear-cut owing to pharmacogenetic differences. The main actions of GCs in hematologic disorders have been related to their differentiation-inducing and apoptosis-inducing effects, but modification of several steps of the hematopoietic and/or immune pathway has also been reported. In our clinic, mega-dose methylprednisolone (MDMP) has been successfully used for treatment of different hematologic diseases, such as leukemias, bone marrow failure in aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, neutropenia, autoimmune diseases, and in some congenital hereditary diseases. Both clinical and experimental studies in our department revealed that MDMP was more effective than conventional dose steroids. It is interesting that MDMP can be curative in some congenital hereditary diseases such as Diamond-Blackfan syndrome. However, more research is required to clarify their roles in biology, physiology, and molecular genetics.

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis in two cases of consanguineous parents and associated with hereditary spherocytosis and hemophagocytic hystiocytosis

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis may occur as a result of different etiological conditions and in about one-third of cases no cause could be identified. Here, we report two cases of nonimmune hydrops fetalis associated with hereditary spherocytosis and hemophagocytic hystiocytosis. We think that babies with hydrops fetalis born of consanguineous parents should be examined for hereditary diseases, and that these rare causes should be taken into account in problematic cases.

An unusual case of reactive lymphocytosis mimicking acute leukemia

The diagnosis of acute leukemia is based on a combination of clinical, hematological, morphological, cytogenetic, and immunophenotypic data. The authors report a case of reactive lymphocytosis with extremely elevated lymphocytic and lymphoblastic leukocytosis that mimicked acute lymphoblastic leukemia, not only morphologically, but also in immunophenotypic analysis. They could not determine any underlying disease marker other than infectious symptoms that were present for 20 days prior to presentation to their clinic. Although this case presented with extremely high lymphocytic leukocytosis, the patient had normal blood cell lineage, a moderate level of blastic cells in bone marrow, and normal physical findings. These findings convinced the authors to follow up the patient before beginning treatment.

Role of procalcitonin and CRP in differentiating a stable from a deteriorating clinical course in pediatric febrile neutropenia

In clinical practice, when neutropenic-fever patients present with no microbiologically and clinically defined infection, the risk of underestimating an occult infection is of major concern, the clinicians have to make a decision on when to modify antibiotic therapy. Hence, a reliable, specific, and sensitive marker, which is regulated independently from the leukocyte count and the underlying disease, is needed for the early diagnosis of infections in cases of neutropenic fever. We have evaluated the diagnostic and follow-up value of procalcitonin (PCT) compared with C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in documenting the infection in neutropenic-fever patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy, as evidenced by the durational change in these parameters in the presence of defined infection. Forty-nine patients, who had 60 febrile episodes, and who were hospitalized in the Hacettepe University Ihsan Doğramaci Children's Hospital between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005 were included in this prospective study. All patients had been diagnosed with neutropenic fever after intensive chemotherapy. In our study, PCT and CRP levels were significantly higher in neutropenic-fever patients (group I and group II separately) than in control patients (P<0.001) throughout the study period; but erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels did not show any significant difference (P>0.05). In sequential analyses of patients without documented infections, the median of PCT concentrations shows a tendency to fall after the 8th hour of onset of fever, whereas in patients with documented infections PCT concentrations fell after the 48th hour. In conclusion, our study suggests that PCT, when measured periodically, is a more useful diagnostic inflammation parameter in pediatric neutropenic-fever patients than CRP, both in estimating the severity of the infection and, the duration and origin of the fever. Hence, PCT might be helpful when deciding on initial therapy modification.

Biallelic mutations in PALB2 cause Fanconi anemia subtype FA-N and predispose to childhood cancer

PALB2 was recently identified as a nuclear binding partner of BRCA2. Biallelic BRCA2 mutations cause Fanconi anemia subtype FA-D1 and predispose to childhood malignancies. We identified pathogenic mutations in PALB2 (also known as FANCN) in seven families affected with Fanconi anemia and cancer in early childhood, demonstrating that biallelic PALB2 mutations cause a new subtype of Fanconi anemia, FA-N, and, similar to biallelic BRCA2 mutations, confer a high risk of childhood cancer.

Can renal leukemic infiltration cause hypertension in children?

Out of 334 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated with St Jude Total XI and Total XIII chemotherapy protocols were investigated and 21 (6.3%) were hypertensive. The incidence of tumor lysis syndrome was higher in the hypertensive group than in the nonhypertensive group (28.6% vs. 11.5%) (P = 0.035). There were no differences between patients treated with high-dose methylprednisolone and prednisolone St Jude Total XI and Total XIII, St Jude Total XIII LR and St Jude Total XIII HR groups in respect of the above-mentioned parameters. Central nervous system involvement, skeletal system involvement, abdominal lymphadenopathy, elevated lactate dehydrogenase and leukocyte count, French-American-British types and immunophenotypes were not found to be statistically significant to the development of hypertension (P > 0.05). We found that renal leukemic infiltration is a risk factor in hypertension development (P = 0.04) and hypertension is a risk factor for renal parenchymal disorder in the follow-up period (P = 0.0001). Six patients presenting with hypertension in the first week of disease therapy were evaluated for renal parenchymal disorder and glomerular filtration rate abnormality in the follow-up period. Glomerular filtration rate abnormality was found in 1 and renal scintigraphic dimercaptosuccinic acid abnormalities (reduced uptake and dilated hypoactivity) were found in 4 patients. Hypertension was also found to be a risk factor for renal parenchymal disorder in the follow-up period.

Unexpected protection from infection by two booster hepatitis B virus vaccination in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The protective power of two booster dose vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has not been previously studied in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who remained unresponsive to immunization. The aim of this study was to determine the HBV infection rate in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with or without seroconversion and to compare these groups in respect to HBV infection rate. The study group included 111 male and 85 female ALL patients with a mean age of 6.23+/-4.10 years. Patients were divided into three groups as follows: Group 1 included 82 patients who were vaccinated during maintenance chemotherapy, Group 2 included 87 unvaccinated patients, and Group 3 included 27 patients who were vaccinated prior to the diagnosis of ALL. Seroconversion was obtained in 35.4% (29/82) of patients in Group 1. The incidence of HBV infection was significantly lower in Group 1 (4/82, 4.8%) than in Group 2 (25/87, 28.7%). When we compared only the seronegative patients in Group 1 with Group 2 in respect to HBV infection rate, Group 1 still had a significantly lower HBV infection rate than Group 2 (7.5% versus 28.7%) (p<0.001). No patients in Group 3 (n=27) had HBV infection. In addition to the seroconversion level, infection rate is also important in the evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccination. Our study results suggest that a high protective role of HBV vaccination was also observed in non-seroconversion ALL patients. The effect of cellular immunity on the protection against infection should also be investigated in such patients with further studies.

Use of bisphosphonates for resistant hypercalcemia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: report of two cases and review of the literature

Hypercalcemia is a rare complication of malignancy in children. We present two children, one of whom is the youngest reported, with CALLA+ B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who developed hypercalcemia at the time of diagnosis and were treated with relatively low-dose (0.5 mg/kg) intravenous pamidronate successive to conventional therapy. No major side effects were encountered except transient hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia, which were easily managed by replacement therapy. Bisphosphonate therapy was found to be beneficial for the treatment of resistant hypercalcemia associated with ALL, even at relatively low doses.

A pediatric patient with recurrent pseudotumor cerebri and vitamin B12 deficiency

Pseudotumor cerebri is a syndrome of increased intracranial pressure, normal cerebrospinal fluid values, and a normal cerebral ventricles on brain imaging studies. A patient with a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri was admitted to the authors' hospital twice within a 2.5-year interval and treated with vitamin B12 (vit-B12). At the second admission she also presented with a cerebral venous thrombosis that might have been explained by vit-B12 deficiency, homocysteinemia, and an increased level of lipoprotein-a.

Acute and long-term neurologic complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We reviewed the pattern of acute and long-term (during and after treatment period) neurologic complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Among 265 patients, 40 developed neurotoxicity. Twenty-one and 19 of the patients were treated with St. Jude Total XI and St. Jude Total XIII chemotherapy protocols, respectively. There was no difference between Total XI and XIII chemotherapy protocol groups in neurotoxicity. Neurological symptoms were determined during the therapy period in 33 (82.5%) and in the late period in 7 (15%) of 40 patients. Systemic chemotherapy (including vincristine, high-dose methotrexate) and intrathecal chemotherapy seem to be the most common predisposing factors. In the study group, neurological complications in two patients were iatrogenic as a result of lumbar puncture (1 case) and due to erroneous vincristine administration on two consecutive days (1 case).

Bone mineral density and serum bone turnover markers in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparison of megadose methylprednisolone and conventional-dose prednisolone treatments

During recent decades, the survival rate after childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has improved substantially; consequently, the long-term side effects of ALL and its treatment have gained attention, of which osteoporosis is one of the most important. The purpose of the present study was to compare the influence of different treatment protocols that include high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) versus conventional-dose prednisolone (CDP) for remission-induction therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum bone turnover markers in survivors of childhood ALL after cessation of chemotherapy. Thirty-six boy and 23 girl survivors, treated for ALL, were cross-sectionally studied, at a mean age of 11.7 years (range 6-19). Group 1 (n = 30) received CDP therapy (prednisolone, 2 mg/kg/day, orally) and group 2 (n = 29) received HDMP therapy (prednol-L, 900-600 mg/m2, orally). All other therapies were similar in both groups. Cranial irradiation was added for high-risk patients as soon as possible after consolidation therapy. We found that mean lumbar spine BMD z score value was -1.75 (0.83) SDS in group 1 and -1.66 (1.21) SDS in group 2. There is no difference between both groups (P = 0.736). The mean BMD z scores of prepubertal and pubertal patients were not significantly different in both groups. Comparison of serum bone turnover parameters of the patients revealed no difference between the two groups. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that lumbar spine BMD z scores was predicted by height SDS and the time past since cessation of therapy, but not age at diagnosis, BMI SDS, cranial radiotherapy, and puberty. Our study results showed that HDMP treatment did not deteriorate the bone mass any more than CDP treatment. These results proved that high-dose steroid therapy over a short period of time in remission-induction treatment would not affect the bone mass any more adversely than would conventional doses approximately 3 years after cessation of chemotherapy.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura after mumps infection

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura is estimated to be one of the most common acquired bleeding disorders of children. The pathogenesis involves the generation of autoantibodies against the normally expressed glycoproteins on the platelet membranes. These antibody-coated platelets in turn are destroyed by the spleen and other reticuloendothelial organs. Although the disease can occur without an identifiable etiology, many underlying pathologies, including infections, can be found. We report the mumps virus as a rare etiology of secondary autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.

The effects of megadose methylprednisolone therapy on the immune system in childhood immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a frequently encountered disease in childhood. Recent reports pointed to the benefit of high-dose steroid in ITP treatment since it resulted in a better outcome in a shorter time than IV immunoglobulin therapy. In the authors' clinic, mainly after 1984, megadose methyl prednisolone (MDMP) has been used for ITP treatment. There is no report that includes an extensive immune system examination of megadose steroid effect in childhood ITP. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of MDMP therapy on the immune system in childhood ITP for serum immunoglobulins, absolute lymphocyte and lymphocyte subclass counts, and in vitro blastogenic responses to mitogens. The authors have demonstrated that lymphocyte subtypes (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19) and serum immunoglobulin G, A, M increased after a short-course MDMP therapy in comparison to pretreatment values in mixed group (acute + chronic) of childhood ITP patients. Also blastic transformation function of lymphocytes with Conca-A and phytohemaglutinin showed an upward trend in 6 of the 9 patients. Steroid are thought to have a suppressive effect on the immune system but this study suggests that short-course MDMP may not be hazardous to the immune system.

Effects of prophylactic thyroid hormone replacement in euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most frequent autoimmune thyroid disease. L-thyroxine therapy can reduce the incidence and alleviate the symptoms of this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of prophylactic L-thyroxine treatment on clinical and laboratory findings of patients who were euthyroid at the time of diagnosis. Thirty-three patients who had diagnosis of euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis were randomized to two groups, one group received prophylactic L-thyroxine treatment and the other was followed-up without treatment. Initial thyroid function tests, autoantibodies, ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration biopsy and peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were similar in the two study groups. After 15 months of L-thyroxine treatment, there was a significant increase in free T4 and a significant decrease in TSH and anti-thyroglobulin antibody anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels. CD8+ cell counts increased in both groups, CD4/CD8 levels decreased significantly because of the increase in CD8+ cell count levels. Though there was no change in cytological findings, ultrasonography showed a decrease in thyroid volume in L-thyroxine receiving patients whereas an increase was detected in patients who were followed without treatment. In conclusion, prophylactic thyroid hormone therapy can be used in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis even if they are euthyroid.

Electrolyte abnormalities at diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia may be a clue for renal damage in long-term period

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of electrolyte perturbations and their relationship with leukemic status before and after chemotherapy in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Blood biochemistry, liver and renal function tests, and renal sonograms were examined at diagnosis and during induction therapy in 334 patients. Renal and electrolyte disturbances were then studied in 116 patients between 3 and 110 months after cessation of the St. Jude chemotherapy treatment protocol. Glomerular filtration rate, electrolyte, protein, and beta-2-microglobulin levels were determined in fresh urine samples, and serum electrolyte levels were examined in blood samples. Renal sonographic examinations and scintigraphic examinations were performed with DMSA and MAG-3. Renal leukemic involvement was detected by sonographic examination in 32 patients who had also presented with hyperphosphatemia or hyperuricemia. Patients with electrolyte disorders at diagnosis were less likely to have tumor lysis syndrome during induction chemotherapy. This may be explained by correction of their electrolyte disorders at the time of diagnosis, which may protect them from tumor lysis syndrome. Hypocalcemia and hyponatremia at the time of diagnosis were found to be significant initial risk factors for renal scan abnormalities and microproteinuria, respectively, during the late therapy period (P < 0.05). Electrolyte abnormalities and renal changes were commonly observed before and after therapy for leukemia. Patients presenting with hypocalcemia and hyponatremia should be examined for microproteinuria and should undergo renal scanning during the late therapy period.

Parvovirus B19 infection presenting as pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a transient and progressive course in two children

Parvovirus B19 is the causative agent of various forms of hematologic diseases such as aplastic crisis in patients with hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. In addition, parvovirus B19 infection may precede or be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The authors present two cases of parvovirus B19 infection and bone marrow infiltration with pre-B-cell lymphoblasts; one patients was diagnosed as having ALL, and the other patient, with neurologic findings, showed total resolution of the blastic morphology and phenotype.

Evaluation of kidney damage in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in long-term follow-up: value of renal scan

In order to evaluate potential long-term kidney damage of childhood leukemia and risk factors affecting renal damage, we studied 116 children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using the St. Jude Total XI and XIII protocols in 1991-1998. The median follow-up period after the completion of treatment was 35 months. The following parameters were examined: urinalysis, urinary creatinine (Cr), calcium (Ca), phosphorus, beta2-microglobulin, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), tubular phosphorus reabsorption (TPR), and renal function tests. Radiological evaluation included renal ultrasonography (US), and renal scans with DMSA or MAG-3 were performed. Blood chemistry and renal US patients were normal in all patients except two. GFR, TPR, urinary Ca/Cr, beta2-microglobulin, and renal scan were abnormal in 19.0%, 16.4%, 13.8%, 6.0%, and 40.5% of patients, respectively. The abnormality rate in GFR was significantly higher in patients <2 years of age. TPR abnormality was found to be significantly higher in patients who did not have G-CSF. An abnormal renal scan was associated with Hb < 10 g/dL, kidney infiltration, or hypertension at presentation and also occurred patients who underwent methotrexate treatment with frequent intervals during the follow-up period. Patients should be followed-up after cessation of therapy with the conventional tests mentioned above. In case of any abnormality, further detailed tests should be performed; renal scan seems to be more predictive for renal damage.

Human parvovirus B19 associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Although human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is mainly known to be the causative agent of fifth disease, it is also important in the etiopathogenesis of various hematologic disorders. Recently, its role in the occurrence of chronic anemia and pancytopenia in immunocompromised patients has been revealed. In this study, the authors searched for the presence of PVB19 in a group of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The PVB19 DNA was determined by nested PCR, and serologic responses to the virus were evaluated by ELISA. Viral genome was detected by PCR in the sera of 9 of the 19 patients. The IgM and IgG positivities were 57 and 73% in the patients, respectively. These results suggest that PVB19 is associated with ITP nearly in half of the patients and its pathogenetic role in the cases of ITP needs further consideration.

Metamizole sodium-induced severe aplastic anemia and its recovery with a short-course steroid therapy

The authors treated a girl with severe aplastic anemia that developed following urinary tract infection. She was referred to our hospital for bone marrow transplantation. The detailed medical history of the patient revealed iatrogenic metamizole sodium overdose that was given during her infection. She responded to a 3-day, high-dose methylprednisolone therapy and consequent conventional dose steroid. The authors observed at first partial and subsequently complete remission of all the hematologic parameters of the patient within 30 days and 4 months, respectively. This case suggests that the history of drug use should be questioned carefully in the patients with aplastic features. Steroid treatment may be an appropriate alternative therapy for aplastic anemia if associated drug use is detected in the medical history.

Parvovirus B19 infection associated with severe aplastic anemia in an immunocompetent patient

Human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection may cause mild pancytopenia characterized by transient and spontaneous recovery in healthy subjects. Severe aplastic anemia associated with PVB19 infection in patients without an underlying disease has been described in a number of reports. Here, a previous healthy, 10-year-old girl with severe aplastic anemia associated with PVB19 infection is described. The patient underwent bone marrow transplantation from her HLA-identical sibling resulting in complete recovery. PVB19 infection should be considered as one of the causes of aplastic anemia in patients without an underlying disease.

The prognosis and survival of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with central nervous system relapse

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been overcome by sensitive therapeutic approachs. This study was planned to present the development of CNS relapse and survival in newly diagnosed 190 ALL patients whose cases were followed in the authors' unit between March 1991 and May 2002. St. Jude Study XI protocol was given to the patients who applied between March 1991 and March 1997 (group A) (n = 122), and St. Jude Study XIII protocol was given to the patients who applied between March 1997 and May 2002 (group B) (n = 68). The patients having isolated CNS relapse in group A received craniospinal irradiation (CSI) median 3.5 months after CNS relapse (range 2-6 months), a short time after reinduction, and 2 cures of consolidation. In group B, patients having isolated CNS relapse received IT once a month and a high-dose methotrexate treatment once every 8 weeks and 3 or 4, cures later therapy CSI median 7 months after CNS relapse (range 6-8 months) was given. When the overall survival rates of the 2 groups are compared, a statistically significant higher survival rate at 5 years was determined in group B than in group A (respectively, 82.3%, 58.4%) (p < .05). When subgroups of the patients (that is, those with no relapse, isolated CNS or BM relapse, or CNS + BM relapse) were compared in both groups, it was found that survival was much higher for the ones with no relapse and with isolated CNS relapse (respectively, 87.9%, 72.7%) compared to isolated BM or CNS + BM relapse groups (respectively, 10%, 13.3%) (p < .05). In a conclusion, for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and an isolated CNS relapse, with delayed definitive craniospinal irradiation allowing more intensive systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy results in better overall survival than has been previously reported.

The effect of vitamin D3 on CD34 progenitor cells in vitamin D deficiency rickets

Vitamin D metabolites have multiple functions not only in calcium homeostasis, but also in hematopoiesis. To detect the effect of vitamin D on hematopoiesis with a surface glycoprotein marker, the proportions of the CD34+ cells were measured in bone marrow, peripheral blood and spleen prior to and after vitamin D3 treatment in an infant with severe rickets, myelofibrosis and myeloid metaplasia. CD34+ cells measured 0.4% in bone marrow, 8.0% in peripheral blood and 8.7% in splenic aspirate. The detection of a high and comparable level of CD34+ cells in both peripheral blood and splenic aspirate on admission and the decline in the level of CD34+ cells (2%) following treatment support that CD34+ cells were from extramedullary hematopoiesis in spleen. The improvement of rickets and hematological findings with treatment at the same time raises the possibility of vitamin D3 acting directly upon the same target or upon different targets at the same time or of the presence of interaction between two targets. Our findings may also show a relation between vitamin D3 and its metabolites to bone marrow stem cells.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infants

Between January 1978 and August 1999, 29 infants with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated on three consecutive protocols. Eighteen patients with infant ALL diagnosed between 1978-1991 were included in Group 1. In this group, treatment comprised a two- or three-drug induction with prednisolone, vincristine and L-asparaginase, and maintenance therapy consisted of weekly oral administration of mercaptopurine and methotrexate for three years. Group 2: Between 1991 and 1999, 11 infants with ALL were treated by St. Jude Total Therapy XI (n=4) and XIII (n=7) protocols with minor modification. Three years' event-free survival (+/-SE) was 14 +/- 9% in group 1. In group 2, this rate was 25 +/- 22% in Total XI and 57 +/- 19% in Total XIII. Outcome for infants on protocols Total Therapy XI and XIII improved compared with that of group 1.