scholarly journals Current opportunities for vaccine prophylaxis of common infections in immunosuppressed adult patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
I. O. Stoma

One of the slogans of modern clinical vaccinology is — “You have taken enough care of your children’s health, and now it is time to take care of yourselves and your parents — it is high time to think seriously about vaccinating adults!” It is indeed true that for a long time vaccinology has been confined to the paediatric service only, while general practitioners and specialists of the therapeutic branches of medicine have dealt with vaccination very rarely, and only in relation to seasonal influenza. This is often due to the fact that clinicians often have insufficient or inaccurate information regarding the need for and the effectiveness of vaccination in adult patients, including those with immunosuppression or comorbidity. In some cases, the infrastructure needed to develop a tailored vaccination schedule for adult patient groups at increased risk of developing infectious complications is lacking. This article presents current data with regard to vaccination of immunosuppressed adult patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Anagnostis ◽  
Stavroula Α. Paschou ◽  
Eleftherios Spartalis ◽  
Gerardo Sarno ◽  
Paride De Rosa ◽  
...  

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and dyslipidaemia are the most common metabolic complications in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). They are associated with a higher risk of lower graft function and survival, as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this review is to provide current data on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and optimal management of these two principal metabolic complications in KTR. Several risk factors in this metabolic milieu are either already present or emerge after renal transplantation, such as those due to immunosuppressive therapy. However, the exact pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Awareness of these disorders is crucial to estimate CVD risk in KTR and optimize screening and therapeutic strategies. These include lifestyle (preferably according to the Mediterranean pattern) and immunosuppressive regimen modification, as well as the best available anti-diabetic (insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents) and hypolipidaemic (e.g. statins) regimen according to an individual’s metabolic profile and medical history.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Simone Vidale

<b><i>Background and Purpose:</i></b> Coronavirus disease 2019 (CO­VID-19) infection is an ongoing pandemic and worldwide health emergency that has caused important changes in healthcare systems. Previous studies reported an increased risk of thromboembolic events, including stroke. This systematic review aims to describe the clinical features and etiological characteristics of ischemic stroke patients with CO­VID-19 infection. <b><i>Method:</i></b> A literature search was performed in principal databases for studies and case reports containing data concerning risk factors, clinical features, and etiological characteristics of patients infected with COVID-19 and suffering from stroke. Descriptive and analytical statistics were applied. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, 14 articles were included for a total of 93 patients. Median age was 65 (IQR: 55–75) years with prevalence in males. Stroke occurred after a median of 6 days from COVID-19 infection diagnosis. Median National of Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 19. Cryptogenic (Cry) strokes were more frequent (51.8%), followed by cardioembolic etiology, and they occurred a long time after COVID-19 diagnosis compared with large-artery atherosclerosis strokes (<i>p</i><sub>trend</sub>: 0.03). The clinical severity of stroke was significantly associated with the severity grade of COVID-19 infection (<i>p</i><sub>trend</sub>: 0.03). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Ischemic strokes in COVID-19-infected patients were clinically severe, affecting younger patients mainly with Cry and cardioembolic etiologies. Further multicenter prospective registries are needed to better describe the causal association and the effect of COVID-19 infection on stroke.


Author(s):  
Alberto Aiolfi ◽  
Mario Nosotti ◽  
Kazuhide Matsushima ◽  
Carolina Perali ◽  
Cristina Ogliari ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequently seen in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Long-standing GERD may cause esophagitis, long-segment strictures, and Barrett’s esophagus and may worsen pre-existing pulmonary fibrosis with an increased risk of end-stage lung disease. Surgical treatment of recalcitrant GERD remains controversial. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the current data on surgical treatment of recalcitrant GERD in SSc patients. Materials and methods A systematic literature review according to PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were consulted. Results A total of 101 patients were included from 7 studies. The age ranged from 34 to 61 years and the majority were females (73.5%). Commonly reported symptoms were heartburn (92%), regurgitation (77%), and dysphagia (74%). Concurrent pulmonary disease was diagnosed in 58% of patients. Overall, 63 patients (62.4%) underwent open fundoplication, 17 (16.8%) laparoscopic fundoplication, 15 (14.9%) Roux en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and 6 (5.9%) esophagectomy. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 65 months. Recurrent symptoms were described in up to 70% and 30% of patients undergoing fundoplication and RYGB, respectively. Various symptoms were reported postoperatively depending on the type of surgical procedures, anatomy of the valve, need for esophageal lengthening, and follow-up. Conclusions The treatment of recalcitrant GERD in SSc patients is challenging. Esophagectomy should be reserved to selected patients. Minimally invasive RYGB appears feasible and safe with promising preliminary short-term results. Current evidence is scarce while a definitive indication about the most appropriate surgical treatment is lacking.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 272
Author(s):  
Shelby Barnett ◽  
Julie Errington ◽  
Julieann Sludden ◽  
David Jamieson ◽  
Vianney Poinsignon ◽  
...  

Infants and young children represent an important but much understudied childhood cancer patient population. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of the widely used anticancer prodrug cyclophosphamide were investigated in children <2 years of age. Concentrations of cyclophosphamide and selected metabolites were determined in patients administered cyclophosphamide at doses ranging from 100–1500 mg/m2 (5–75 mg/kg), with various infusion times as determined by the standard treatment regimen that each patient was receiving. Polymorphisms in genes including CYP2B6 and CYP2C19 were investigated. Data generated for cyclophosphamide were analysed using a previously published population pharmacokinetic model. Cyclophosphamide pharmacokinetics was assessed in 111 samples obtained from 25 patients ranging from 4–23 months of age. The average cyclophosphamide clearance for the patients was 46.6 mL/min/m2 (ranging from 9.4–153 mL/min/m2), with marked inter-patient variability observed (CV 41%). No significant differences in cyclophosphamide clearance or exposure (AUC) were observed between patient groups as separated by age or body weight. However, marked differences in drug clearance and metabolism were noted between the current data in children <2 years of age and recently published results from a comparable study conducted by our group in older children, which reported significantly lower cyclophosphamide clearance values and metabolite exposures using the same population pharmacokinetic model for analysis. Whilst this study demonstrates no significant differences in cyclophosphamide clearance in patients <2 years, it highlights large differences in dosing protocols across tumour types. Furthermore, the study suggests marked differences in cyclophosphamide clearance in children less than two years of age as compared to older patients.


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (03) ◽  
pp. 378-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Brosstad ◽  
Thore Egeland ◽  
Tor Egge ◽  
Erik Schrumpf ◽  
Kirsten Boberg

SummaryBleeding time determination is not advised as a general preoperative hemostasis screening test, but it might be useful in some patient groups. Patients referred for liver biopsy frequently have coagulation disturbances and are at risk of hemorrhage. In this prospective study 219 liver biopsies were carried out regardless of a prolonged bleeding time, but with minimum requirements for hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, and tests of the internal and external coagulation pathways. The bleeding time was prolonged in the case of 48 (22%) of the biopsies. Significant bleeding as defined by a hemoglobin decrease of ≥2.0 g/dl occurred in nine patients. Three of these patients were bone marrow transplanted. Patients with a prolonged bleeding time carried a five times higher risk of bleeding (odds ratio = 5.0; confidence interval = 1.1-21.8; p = 0.019). We conclude that the bleeding time may give additional information on the risk of bleeding in some patient groups undergoing liver biopsy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. AB133
Author(s):  
Ian Holmes ◽  
Muhammad Bashir ◽  
Thomas E. Kowalski ◽  
David E. Loren ◽  
Anand Kumar ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Mega ◽  
Edite Teixeira-de-Lemos ◽  
Rosa Fernandes ◽  
Flávio Reis

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is now the single commonest cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide and one of the main causes of death in diabetic patients. It is also acknowledged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since sitagliptin was approved, many studies have been carried out revealing its ability to not only improve metabolic control but also ameliorate dysfunction in various diabetes-targeted organs, especially the kidney, due to putative underlying cytoprotective properties, namely, its antiapoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. Despite overall recommendations, many patients spend a long time well outside the recommended glycaemic range and, therefore, have an increased risk for developing micro- and macrovascular complications. Currently, it is becoming clearer that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management must envision not only the improvement in glycaemic control but also, and particularly, the prevention of pancreatic deterioration and the evolution of complications, such as DN. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge in the field of renoprotective actions of sitagliptin, namely, improvement in diabetic dysmetabolism, hemodynamic factors, renal function, diabetic kidney lesions, and cytoprotective properties.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ciccolini ◽  
Laetitia Dahan ◽  
Nicolas André ◽  
Alexandre Evrard ◽  
Muriel Duluc ◽  
...  

Purpose Anticipating toxicities with gemcitabine is an ongoing story, and deregulation in cytidine deaminase (CDA) could be associated with increased risk of developing early severe toxicities on drug exposure. Patients and Methods A simple test to evaluate CDA phenotypic status was first validated in an animal model investigating relationships between CDA activity and gemcitabine-related toxicities. Next, relevance of this test as a marker for toxicities was retrospectively tested in a first subset of 64 adult patients treated with gemcitabine alone, then it was tested in a larger group of 130 patients who received gemcitabine either alone or combined with other drugs and in 20 children. Additionally, search for the 435 T>C, 208 G>A and 79 A>C mutations on the CDA gene was performed. Results In mice, CDA deficiency impacted on gemcitabine pharmacokinetics and had subsequent lethal toxicities. In human, 12% of adult patients experienced early severe toxicities after gemcitabine administration. A significant difference in CDA activities was observed between patients with and without toxicities (1.2 ± 0.8 U/mg v 4 ± 2.6 U/mg; P < .01). Conversely, no genotype-to-phenotype relationships were found. Of note, the patients who displayed particularly reduced CDA activity all experienced strong toxicities. Gemcitabine was well tolerated in children, and no CDA deficiency was evidenced. Conclusion Our data suggest that CDA functional testing could be a simple and easy marker to discriminate adult patients at risk of developing severe toxicities with gemcitabine. Particularly, this study demonstrates that CDA deficiency, found in 7% of adult patients, is associated with a maximum risk of developing early severe toxicities with gemcitabine.


1986 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-101
Author(s):  
V. Ya. Shustov ◽  
N. A. Afanasyeva ◽  
P. P. Kuznetsov ◽  
A. K. Myshkina

Chronic lymphatic leukemia is second only to acute leukemia in the frequency of infectious complications. In most cases, severe infectious complications are the cause of death in these patients. Modern chemotherapy makes it possible to preserve the ability to work and the life expectancy of patients for a long time. However, the negative effect of cytostatic drugs on the already altered immune system leads to an even greater suppression of immunity and an increase in the number of infectious complications. The search for new ways to combat infections has shown the advisability of long-term outpatient treatment with antibacterial drugs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Fisher ◽  
Sarah Badran ◽  
John T. Li ◽  
Jodie K. Votava-Smith ◽  
Patrick M. Sullivan

Abstract Objective To describe outcomes of acute coronavirus disease 2019 in paediatric and young adult patients with underlying cardiac disease and evaluate the association between cardiac risk factors and hospitalisation. Study design We conducted a retrospective single-institution review of patients with known cardiac disease and positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RT-PCR from 1 March, 2020 to 30 November, 2020. Extracardiac comorbidities and cardiac risk factors were compared between those admitted for coronavirus disease 2019 illness and the rest of the cohort using univariate analysis. Results Forty-two patients with a mean age of 7.7 ± 6.7 years were identified. Six were 18 years of age or more with the oldest being 22 years of age. Seventy-six percent were Hispanic. The most common cardiac diagnoses were repaired cyanotic (n = 7, 16.6%) and palliated single ventricle (n = 7, 16.6%) congenital heart disease. Fourteen patients (33.3%) had underlying syndromes or chromosomal anomalies, nine (21%) had chronic pulmonary disease and eight (19%) were immunosuppressed. Nineteen patients (47.6%) reported no symptoms. Sixteen (38.1%) reported only mild symptoms. Six patients (14.3%) were admitted to the hospital for acute coronavirus disease 2019 illness. Noncardiac comorbidities were associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation (p = 0.02), particularly chronic pulmonary disease (p = 0.01) and baseline supplemental oxygen requirement (p = 0.007). None of the single ventricle patients who tested positive required admission. Conclusions Hospitalisations for coronavirus disease 2019 were rare among children and young adults with underlying cardiac disease. Extracardiac comorbidities like pulmonary disease were associated with increased risk of hospitalisation while cardiac risk factors were not.


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