A 14-year-old girl patient presented with intermittent generalized abdominal pain. There was no history of diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal bleeding, weight loss, nausea, or vomiting. Routine laboratory tests, imaging studies, and stool studies were unremarkable. Upper and lower endoscopy was grossly normal. Random biopsies of the colon revealed a 2- to 3-μm-thick basophilic band along the surface epithelium of the colon (Fig. 1).FIGURE 1: Hematoxylin and eosin stain.The patient was diagnosed as having intestinal spirochetosis and treated with metronidazole. Intestinal spirochetosis is rare in children with an increased prevalence in immunosuppressed patients and homosexual males (1,2). Spirochetes can cause abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, hematochezia, and appendicitis in some cases (3,4). The majority of patients are asymptomatic with incidental findings of spirochetes on colonic biopsies (3–5). Histology is characterized by a densely packed brush border of spirochetes Brachyspira aalborgi and Brachyspira pilosicoli attached to the epithelial surface of the colon that can be stained with H and E or silver stains (Fig. 2) (6). Clinical significance remains elusive with treatment of incidental findings debatable. Antimicrobial agents such as metronidazole and macrolides have been associated with resolution of symptoms and eradication of the intestinal spirochetes in adults (1,3). There are no standard therapies in pediatric patients (1). Thus, large population-based studies are required to analyze the demographics, clinical significance, and therapeutic outcomes of intestinal spirochetosis in children.FIGURE 2: Steiner stain.

Treatment options for invasive fungal infections continue to expand for pediatric patients. A review of the polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins, including drug targets and mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and the safety and efficacy of each class of drug, is provided. An emphasis is placed on critically evaluating the strategy (prophylaxis, empiric treatment) used in cited literature. With a more thorough understanding of infection epidemiology and treatment options, clinicians should be better equipped to lower the incidence of invasive fungal infection and more effectively treat emergent infections in immunocompromised children. This review also underscores the need for carefully designed studies in pediatric patients, because most of the available data have been derived from studies in adult patients. (J Pediatr 2010; 156: S74-82).

To estimate the response rate and therapy related toxicities of the anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab when combined with chemotherapy including ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) in patients with relapsed and refractory B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and mature B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL).

Systemic fungal infections remain a significant cause of mortality in neutropenic and immunocompromised patients, despite advances in their diagnosis and treatment. The incidence of such infections is rising due to the use of intensive chemotherapy regimens in patients with solid tumours or haematological cancers, the increasing numbers of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplants, and the use of potent immunosuppressive therapy in patients with autoimmune disorders. In addition, the epidemiology of systemic fungal infections is changing, with atypical species such as Aspergillus terreus and zygomycetes becoming more common. Treatment has traditionally focused on empirical therapy, but targeted pre-emptive therapy in high-risk patients and prophylactic antifungal treatment are increasingly being adopted. New treatments, including lipid formulations of amphotericin B, second-generation broad-spectrum azoles, and echinocandins, offer effective antifungal activity with improved tolerability compared with older agents; the potential impact of these treatments is reflected in their inclusion in current treatment and prophylaxis guidelines. New treatment strategies, such as aerosolized lipid formulations of amphotericin B, may also reduce the burden of mortality associated with systemic fungal infections. The challenge is to identify ways of coupling potentially effective treatments with early and reliable identification of patients at highest risk of infection.

Anti-leukemia effects of allotransplants are largely mediated by immune mechanisms collectively termed graft-versus-leukemia (GvL). We postulated that allotransplants from HLA-matched unrelated donors (URD) have greater GvL activity than similar transplants from HLA-identical siblings because of greater genetic-disparity between donor and recipient. We tested this hypothesis in 4099 adult recipients of HLA-matched sibling (N= 3158) or 8/8 HLA-allele-matched URD (N= 941) transplants for acute leukemia (AML and ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving conventional transplants between 1995–2004 and reported to CIBMTR. Relapse, transplant-related mortality (TRM) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) were compared between the cohorts. Contrary to our hypothesis, relapse rates at 5 y were similar in patients receiving sibling and URD transplants. More TRM was seen in URD cohort in early AML [sibs 24% (20–27%) versus URD 40% (31–50%), p=0.001], advanced ALL or AML [sibs 31% (25–36%) versus URD 44% (35–53%), p= 0.01] and early CML [sibs 31% (28–33%) versus 38% (32–44%), p=0.02]. LFS was superior with sibling donors in early- and advanced- AML and CML. These data indicate comparable GvL-activity of HLA matched URD and HLA-identical sibling transplants in AML, ALL and CML receiving conventional transplants despite greater genetic disparity.

BACKGROUNDSickle cell nephropathy is characterized by proteinuria that starts in childhood and may lead to renal failure. Microalbuminuria is used as a marker of glomerular damage. There are no data on the extent and type of proteinuria other than microalbuminuria in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Our goal was characterization of glomerular permselectivity and tubular proteinuria in children with SCD. The improved characterization will allow earlier recognition and prevention of renal damage.METHODSThirty-two stable patients with haemoglobin SS (HbSS) (15 boys and 17 girls, age 9.57 +/- 5.45 years, 8 months to 19 years) were investigated. All patients had normal renal function and tested negative for proteinuria with a dipstick method. Markers of glomerular permselectivity used were albumin (marker of charge selectivity and less severe pore-size selectivity) and immunoglobulin G (IgG, marker of more severe pore-size selectivity). The marker of tubular injury used was retinol-binding protein (RBP, marker of proximal tubular dysfunction). These proteins were measured in urine spot samples using nephelometry. We did not include a control group as values in healthy subjects were previously published.RESULTSTotal protein excretion was elevated in 41% (13/32) of all patients and, of these 13 patients, 38.5% (5/13) had increased microalbuminuria, 15% (2/13) had increased excretion of RBP and 23% (3/13) had increased excretion of IgG. Increased total proteinuria that was not detected by testing for microalbuminuria was found in 61.5% (8/13) of patients. The youngest patient was 3 years old. Increased microalbuminuria was present in 25% (8/32) of all patients and was detected as early as 4 years of age. Of these, 62% (5/8) also had increased total protein excretion and 62% (5/8) also had increased IgG excretion. A total of 62.5% were older than 10 years. RBP excretion was elevated in 16% (5/32) of patients, all of whom were 7-14 years old. None of these patients had increased microalbuminuria or increased excretion of IgG. IgG excretion was elevated in 16% (5/32) of patients and was accompanied by increased microalbuminuria. All patients with increased IgG excretion were > or = 13 years old. We found a weak positive correlation between microalbuminuria and age (0.323, P = 0.07). We did not find a significant correlation between any type of proteinuria and disease morbidity. Ten of the thirty-two patients received hydroxyurea treatment and 60% (6/10) had no proteinuria. Twelve of the thirty-two patients received chronic exchange transfusions and 42% (5/12) had no proteinuria.CONCLUSIONWe found early glomerular selectivity damage in children with SCD, which is secondary to both size-selectivity and charge-selectivity impairment. Microalbuminuria alone does not adequately detect early renal damage in children with SCD. Proximal tubular dysfunction is seen in younger children and is independent of glomerular damage. We suggest that children with SCD be tested for both total protein and IgG excretion in the urine in addition to albumin. Knowing the extent and type of renal damage may allow earlier recognition of renal injury and prompt earlier initiation of preventive therapies.

Purpose: To improve the control of hyperuricemia in patients with leukemia or lymphoma, we tested a newly developed uricolytic agent, recombinant urate oxidase (SR29142; Rasburicase; Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc, Paris, France), which catalyzes the oxidation of uric acid to allantoin, a highly water-soluble metabolite readily excreted by the kidneys. Patients and Methods: We administered Rasburicase intravenously, at 0.15 or 0.20 mg/kg, for 5 to 7 consecutive days to 131 children, adolescents, and young adults with newly diagnosed leukemia or lymphoma, who either presented with abnormally high plasma uric acid concentrations or had large tumor cell burdens. Blood levels of uric acid, creatinine, phosphorus, and potassium were measured daily. The pharmacokinetics of Rasburicase, the urinary excretion rate of allantoin, and antibodies to Rasburicase were also studied. Results: At either dosage, the recombinant enzyme produced a rapid and sharp decrease in plasma uric acid concentrations in all patients. The median level decreased by 4 hours after treatment, from 9.7 to 1 mg/dL (P 5 .0001), in the 65 patients who presented with hyperuricemia, and from 4.3 to 0.5 mg/dL (P 5 .0001) in the remaining 66 patients. Despite cytoreductive chemotherapy, plasma uric acid concentrations remained low throughout the treatment (daily median level, 0.5 mg/dL). The urinary excretion rate of allantoin increased during Rasburicase treatment, peaking on day 3. Serum phosphorus concentrations did not change significantly during the first 3 days of treatment, decreased significantly by day 4 in patients presenting with hyperuricemia (P 5 .0003), and fell within the normal range in all patients by 48 hours after treatment. Serum creatinine levels decreased significantly after 1 day of treatment in patients with or without hyperuricemia at diagnosis (P 5 .0003 and P 5 .02, respectively) and returned to normal range in all patients by day 6 of treatment. Toxicity was negligible, and none of the patients required dialysis. The mean plasma half-lives of the agent were 16.0 6 6.3 (SD) hours and 21.1 6 12.0 hours, respectively, in patients treated at dosages of 0.15 or 0.20 mg/kg. Seventeen of the 121 assessable patients developed antibodies to the enzyme. Conclusion: Rasburicase is safe and highly effective for the prophylaxis or treatment of hyperuricemia in patients with leukemia or lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 19:697-704. © 2001 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Fifty children who had symptomatic sickle cell disease received matched sibling marrow allografts between September 1991 and March 1999, with Kaplan-Meier probabilities of survival and event-free survival of 94% and 84%, respectively. Twenty-six patients (16 male, 10 female) had at least 2 years of follow-up after transplantation and were evaluated for late effects of transplantation and for its impact on sickle cell-related central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary disease. Patients ranged between 3.3 and 14.0 (median, 9. 4) years of age and had a median follow-up of 57.9 (range 38-95) months after transplantation. Among 22 of 26 patients who had stable donor engraftment, complications related to sickle cell disease resolved, and none experienced further episodes of pain, stroke, or acute chest syndrome. All 10 engrafted patients with a prior history of stroke had stable or improved cerebral magnetic resonance imaging results. Pulmonary function tests were stable in 22 of the 26 patients, worse in two, and not studied in two. Seven of eight patients transplanted for recurrent acute chest syndrome had stable pulmonary function. Linear growth measured by median height standard deviation score improved from -0.7 before transplantation to -0.2 after transplantation. An adverse effect of busulfan conditioning on ovarian function was demonstrated in five of seven evaluable females who are currently at least 13 years of age. None of the four males tested had elevated serum gonadotropin levels. These data confirm that allogenic bone marrow transplantation establishes normal erythropoiesis and is associated with improved growth and stable CNS imaging and pulmonary function in most patients. (Blood. 2000;95:1918-1924)

Fifty children who had symptomatic sickle cell disease received matched sibling marrow allografts between September 1991 and March 1999, with Kaplan-Meier probabilities of survival and event-free survival of 94% and 84%, respectively. Twenty-six patients (16 male, 10 female) had at least 2 years of follow-up after transplantation and were evaluated for late effects of transplantation and for its impact on sickle cell-related central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary disease. Patients ranged between 3.3 and 14.0 (median, 9. 4) years of age and had a median follow-up of 57.9 (range 38-95) months after transplantation. Among 22 of 26 patients who had stable donor engraftment, complications related to sickle cell disease resolved, and none experienced further episodes of pain, stroke, or acute chest syndrome. All 10 engrafted patients with a prior history of stroke had stable or improved cerebral magnetic resonance imaging results. Pulmonary function tests were stable in 22 of the 26 patients, worse in two, and not studied in two. Seven of eight patients transplanted for recurrent acute chest syndrome had stable pulmonary function. Linear growth measured by median height standard deviation score improved from -0.7 before transplantation to -0.2 after transplantation. An adverse effect of busulfan conditioning on ovarian function was demonstrated in five of seven evaluable females who are currently at least 13 years of age. None of the four males tested had elevated serum gonadotropin levels. These data confirm that allogenic bone marrow transplantation establishes normal erythropoiesis and is associated with improved growth and stable CNS imaging and pulmonary function in most patients. (Blood. 2000;95:1918-1924)

Purpose: Preparative regimens involving totalbody irradiation (TBI) produce significant late toxicities in some children who receive bone marrow transplants, including impaired growth and intellectual development. Busulfan is often used as an alternative to TBI, but there are few data regarding its relative efficacy. Patients and Methods: We compared outcomes of HLA-identical sibling transplants for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children (< 20 years of age) who received cyclophosphamide plus TBI (CY/TBI) (n 5 451) versus those who received busulfan plus cyclophosphamide (Bu/CY) (n 5 176) for pretransplant conditioning. Patients received transplants between 1988 and 1995 and their results were reported to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry by 144 participating institutions. The CY/TBI and Bu/CY groups did not differ in gender, immune phenotype, leukocyte count at the time of diagnosis, chromosome abnormalities, remission status, or length of initial remission. T-cell depletion was used more frequently in the CY/TBI group; the Bu/CY group included a higher proportion of children who were less than 5 years of age. The median follow-up period was 37 months. Results: The 3-year probabilities of survival were 55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50% to 60%) with TBI/CY and 40% (95% CI, 32% to 48%) with Bu/CY (univariate P 5 .003). The 3-year probabilities of leukemia-free survival were 50% (95% CI, 45% to 55%) and 35% (95% CI, 28% to 43%), respectively (univariate P 5 .005). In a multivariate analysis, the risks of relapse were similar in the two groups (relative risk [RR], 1.30 for Bu/CY v CY/TBI; P 5 .1). Treatment-related mortality was higher in the Bu/CY group (RR, 1.68; P 5 .012). Death and treatment failure (relapse or death, inverse of leukemia-free survival) were more frequent in the Bu/CY group (RR, 1.39; P 5 .017 for death; RR, 1.42; P 5 .006 for treatment failure). Conclusion: These data indicate superior survival with CY/TBI conditioning, compared with Bu/CY conditioning, for HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants in children with ALL. J Clin Oncol 18:340-347. © 2000 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.