Invasive esophageal aspergillosis associated with acute myelogenous leukemia: successful therapy with combination caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B

Aspergillosis is one of the most common invasive fungal infections in patients with leukemia. In this patient group, this form of Aspergillus infection is a life-threatening condition with a mortality of 50-100%. The lungs are most often affected, but the esophagus can also be involved.The authors report the case of a child with leukemia who developed invasive esophageal aspergillosis. The condition was diagnosed by microscopic examination of endoscopic biopsy specimens. The patient was already receiving empirical liposomal amphotericin B when the diagnosis was made, so a second antifungal (caspofungin) was added to the regimen. This combination was successful. This case to demonstrates a case of successful treatment of invasive esophageal aspergillosis using combination therapy of liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin.     

两性霉素B脂质体治疗早产儿侵袭性真菌感染的疗效

目的分析早产儿侵袭性真菌感染的高危因素、临床特征,观察两性霉素B脂质体治疗的有效性和安全性。方法回顾性分析21例侵袭性真菌感染早产儿的临床资料,根据临床特点、实验室检查确诊病例10例,临床诊断11例。应用两性霉素B脂质体治疗,剂量由0.1mg.kg-1.d-1开始,后每天或隔天加0.1mg.kg-1,每周复查1,3-β-D葡聚糖,结合临床继续增加至1～3mg.kg-1.d-1。同时每周监测肝肾功能及血常规。结果早产儿侵袭性真菌感染的高危因素是低胎龄儿、极低出生体质量儿、使用中心静脉导管、胃肠外营养、气管插管及长期应用抗生素。临床特征非特异性,各种体液培养以白色念珠菌为主;血1,3-β-D葡聚糖检测均>1500pg.L-1。本组治愈17例,有效2例,放弃、死亡各1例;未见明显不良反应。结论NICU中侵袭性真菌感染发病率日益增高,应重视其发病高危因素,血1,3-β-D葡聚糖监测非常必要,两性霉素B脂质体治疗早产儿侵袭性真菌感染安全、有效。     

Treatment of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Severely Neutropenic Children with Malignant Disorders using Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome), Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor, and Surgery: Report of Five Cases

Five children with malignancies developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. All patients were treated with liposomal amphotericin B and human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Two patients did not recover from bone marrow aplasia and died from organ-infiltrating fungal invasion. Two patients who recovered from bone marrow aplasia survived after surgery of the pulmonary lesions. The fifth patient had a complete resolution of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after neutrophil recovery without surgical intervention. We conclude that not only the antifungal treatment but also the recovery of granulocytes are important in localizing invasive forms of Aspergillus infections in patients with profound immunosuppression.     

Treatment of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Severely Neutropenic Children with Malignant Disorders using Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome), Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor,and Surgery: Report of Five Cases

Five children with malignancies developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. All patients were treated with liposomal amphotericin B and human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Two patients did not recover from bone marrow aplasia and died from organ-infiltrating fungal invasion. Two patients who recovered from bone marrow aplasia survived after surgery of the pulmonary lesions. The fifth patient had a complete resolution of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after neutrophil recovery without surgical intervention. We conclude that not only the antifungal treatment but also the recovery of granulocytes are important in localizing invasive forms of Aspergillus infections in patients with profound immunosuppression.     

两性霉素B脂质体联合氟康唑治疗早产儿真菌性中枢感染研究

目的 探讨两性霉素B脂质体联合氟康唑治疗早产儿真菌感染的疗效及安全性.方法 收集2009.10 - 2011.5收治的中枢神经系统真菌感染早产儿7例,均应用两性霉素B脂质体联合氟康唑治疗,总疗程8 ～ 12周,监测治疗过程中患儿临床症状、体征及相关的血清学、脑脊液及影像学检查指标.结果 两性霉素B脂质体联合氟康唑足量长疗程治疗使早产儿真菌感染得到良好控制,除1例放弃治疗外,余6例症状明显改善,血培养均转阴,中枢神经系统病灶较前明显改善.治疗过程中未发现较严重的药物不良反应.结论 两性霉素B脂质体联合氟康唑治疗早产儿真菌性中枢感染有效且相对安全.     

CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (ALL) PRESENTING WITH SEVERE OSTEOLYSIS: A Model to Study Leukemia-Bone Interactions and Potential Targeted Therapeutics

Interference with the molecular mechanisms that generate tumor supportive niches in the bone microenvironment is a rational approach to inhibit the growth of hematological malignancies. However, the advancement of knowledge in this area has been slowed down by the lack of in vitro models to facilitate the screening of potential candidate agents. The rare cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children presenting with extensive bone involvement may represent an exaggerated form of some aspects of the normal tumor-bone interactions. Thus, these cases can provide insight into processes that are otherwise challenging to uncover. The authors describe the case of a 6-year-old child who presented with severe osteopenia that resolved at the time of leukemic remission. Compared to control sera, serum taken at disease presentation contained increased levels of a group of osteolytic cytokines and was effective in activating preosteoclast cells in culture. Based on these findings, the authors describe an experimental model to identify agents that would interfere with leukemia mediated osteolytic process.     

Successful treatment of a child with T/myeloid acute bilineal leukemia associated with TLX3/BCL11B fusion and 9q deletion

Acute bilineal leukemias are rare and are commonly associated with t(9;22) and MLL abnormalities. Herein, we report a pediatric case of bilineal T/myeloid acute leukemia associated with del (9q)(q13q22) and TLX3/BCL11B fusion due to the cryptic t(5;14)(q35;32). FISH studies confirmed the TLX3/BCL11B fusion in both the myeloid and lymphoid blasts, while the 9q deletion was restricted to the lymphoid component. Optimal therapy for such patients remains controversial and it is not clear if they should be treated with ALL or AML-based chemotherapeutic regimens. Our patient has been in extended remission following ALL-based chemotherapy and a matched unrelated cord blood transplant. Inc.