A survey on the practices and the management of hemorrhagic cystitis in patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Working Party of EBMT.

This survey reports on the current practice and management of hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) among the EBMT centers. The survey response rate was 27%. The diagnostic search of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) was available in 93% of centers and performed in urine (100%), blood/plasma (51%), and serum (12%).

Infections with spp. in Children Undergoing Anticancer Therapy or Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Nationwide Multicentre Study.

: spp. represent the most prevalent Gram-positive organisms in children with malignancies or undergoing haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the epidemiology, risk factors, treatment strategies, and outcomes of staphylococcal infections (SIs) in paediatric haemato-oncology (PHO) and HCT patients in Poland over a 12-year period.

Iron Dysregulation Signature in Pediatric Leukemia: In-Depth Biomarkers of Iron Metabolism Involving Matriptase-2 and Neogenin-1.

Background: Acute leukemia (AL) is the most prevalent pediatric malignancy and is frequently associated with systemic iron dysregulation, often leading to iron overload. This study aimed to characterize the regulatory mechanisms of iron metabolism in children with AL, considering treatment stages and associated clinical parameters.

Methods: A total of 149 children were stratified into four groups: newly diagnosed AL ( = 43), patients post-chemotherapy ( = 55), patients following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT; = 32), and healthy controls ( = 19).

Clinical Analysis of Species Infections in Children and Adolescents Treated for Cancer or Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Multicenter Nationwide Study.

: , specifically , are becoming a great threat to hospitalized patients due to increasing antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and outcome of infections in pediatric cancer patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients in Poland. : A total of 125 episodes of species infections were reported in patients <18 years treated in Polish pediatric hematology and oncology centers over a period from 2012 to 2023.

Defining bloodstream and central venous catheter-related infections in patients following haematopoietic cell transplantation: position paper of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Society Infectious Diseases Working Party and Practice Harmonization and Guidelines Committee.

Scope: This position paper is intended for clinicians and data managers involved in the diagnosis, management, and reporting of bloodstream infection (BSI) and central venous catheter (CVC)-related BSI and CVC-related local skin/soft-tissue infections (lSSTI) in haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients.

Methods: The panel reviewed the relevant guidelines on BSI and CVC-related lSSTI definitions, and their applicability to HCT recipients. We developed practical recommendations aiming to establish their standardized reporting considering the unique features of HCT recipients.

Recommendations of the Polish Medical Radiological Society regarding MRI in patients with plexiform neurofibromas in the course of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetically determined disorder with a complex clinical picture, including disorders of many systems and organs, that predisposes to the development of various cancers. Approximately 10-30% of patients with NF1 develop plexiform neurofibromas (PN), non-malignant tumours growing along the nerves, tending to infiltrate nerves and nerve plexuses, and may grow into internal organs, the spinal canal, and middle ear, deforming bones and various regions of the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in the management of individuals during the course of PN, as a screening tool at baseline, for surveillance (in individuals with known PN), to evaluate treatment response, and for preoperative assessment for surgical planning.

Clinical Analysis of Infections in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy or Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Multicenter Nationwide Study.

: (PSA) infections are associated with a high recurrence rate and high mortality in immuno-compromised patients. There are limited studies regarding pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients. : The nationwide multicenter study was conducted to analyze the epidemiology of PSA infections in children treated with chemotherapy (PHO, pediatric hematology and oncology) or undergoing hematopoietic allogeneic or autologous cell transplantation (HCT) in the period 2014-2023.

Clinical characteristic and outcome of HHV-6 encephalitis after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: A study of Infectious Disease Working Party of EBMT.

Human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) is the main cause of viral encephalitis in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). From January 2005 to December 2014, 97 patients with HHV-6 encephalitis were reported in the EBMT registry. The incidence was 0.

Post-pandemic recommendations for the management of COVID-19 in patients with haematological malignancies or undergoing cellular therapy, from the European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-10).

In the post-pandemic years, SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality declined due to less pathogenic variants, active and passive immunization, and antiviral therapies. However, patients with hematological malignancies and/or undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remain at increased risk for poor outcomes. Therefore, adherence to contact and droplet precautions is essential to avoid transmission, especially during epidemic waves.

Predictors in Optic Pathway Gliomas in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Single Center Study.

Among NF1-dependent tumors, the most common are optic pathway gliomas (OPGs). The objective of this study was the retrospective analysis of the course, indications for treatment, and effects of therapy for NF1-OPGs. We analyzed demographics, clinical and genetic data, imaging and ophthalmological parameters, their impact on therapeutic decisions, and the effectiveness of the therapy in 92 patients.

From Local to International Approach: Prognostic Factors and Treatment Outcomes in Neuroblastoma-A 30-Year Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.

: Over the past three decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of neuroblastoma. The integration of prognostic factors has facilitated risk stratification and the development of targeted treatment approaches. This study aims to analyze the outcomes of pediatric patients with neuroblastoma treated at a single oncology center over a 30-year period.

Single-cell profiling of CAR-T CD19 cell phenotypes and immune system dynamics in pediatric BCP-ALL.

Background Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy targeting CD19 has transformed the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). However, the phenotypic heterogeneity of CAR+ T-cells and their interactions with the immune system remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize CAR+ T-cell subsets and persistence in patients receiving standard-of-care tisagenlecleucel in an effort to optimize therapeutic efficacy in pediatric BCP-ALL.

Prognostic Role of Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Pediatric Soft-Tissue Sarcoma: A Multicenter Study of 213 Patients.

Background: The prognostic role of systemic inflammation markers in pediatric soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) remains unclear.

Procedure: This multicenter study investigated the prognostic significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 213 pediatric patients diagnosed with STS in years 2002-2023. Patients were categorized into groups: rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS, n = 126), RMS-like (n = 57), and non-RMS (n = 30).

Recommendations from the 10th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia for the management of cytomegalovirus in patients after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation and other T-cell-engaging therapies.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains the most important viral pathogen in patients after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), resulting in morbidity and mortality. The European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL) brings together experts in several fields to produce evidence-based recommendations from comprehensive literature reviews. Management of CMV has been addressed twice before; the previous guideline update from the ECIL was published in 2019.

Pneumonia definition in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: Update and challenges in 2024. Recommendations from the EBMT Infectious Diseases Working Party and Practice Harmonization and Guidelines committee.

To optimize and homogenize data on infectious diseases complications, the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (IDWP EBMT) participated in the 2023 EBMT international workshop focusing on the standardization of the definition of specific infections, including respiratory infections [1]. This is pertinent considering that a new software for data collection, including data on post-transplant infectious disease complications, was launched in 2023 and which will remain the main tool for future epidemiological studies. In this report, we briefly discuss our proposals for pneumonia definition, predominately focusing on bacterial and fungal pneumonias.

Tuberculosis after hematopoietic cell transplantation: retrospective study on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the EBMT.

Tuberculosis (TB) is rare following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In this multinational retrospective study, we report the frequency, characteristics, and outcome of TB following HCT performed during 2000-2019. Fifty-two patients (35 (67%) males, 15 (29%) children) from 24 centers developed TB following allogeneic (n = 47) or autologous (n = 5) HCT; with the relative frequency of 0.

Evacuating Patients With Pediatric Cancer From Ukraine: Impact on Medical Care Capacity in Poland.

Purpose: Soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, an initiative was organized to evacuate Ukrainian children with cancer, most initially to Poland. This study assessed the impact of this rapid increase in clinical need on the Polish system of pediatric cancer care.

Methods: This multicenter longitudinal approach was performed among all 19 Polish Pediatric Oncology Centers (PPOCs).

Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children and Adolescents: Recommendations of the Polish Pediatric Society, the Polish Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, the Polish Society of Neonatology, and the Polish Society of Family Medicine.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide and is the leading cause of anemia in the pediatric population (microcytic, hypochromic anemia due to iron deficiency). Moreover, untreated iron deficiency can lead to various systemic consequences and can disrupt the child's development. Therefore, a team of experts from the Polish Pediatric Society, the Polish Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, the Polish Neonatology Society, and the Polish Society of Family Medicine, based on a review of the current literature, their own clinical experience, and critical discussion, has developed updated guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of iron deficiency in children from birth to 18 years of age.

Analysis of early and treatment related deaths among children and adolescents with acute myeloid leukemia in Poland: 2005-2023.

Background: A personalised approach to the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children and adolescents, as well as the development of supportive therapies, has significantly improved survival. Despite this, some patients still die before starting treatment or in an early phase of therapy before achieving remission. The study analysed the frequency, clinical features and risk factors for early deaths (ED) and treatment related deaths (TRD) of children and adolescents with AML.