Community-acquired respiratory virus infections in patients with haematological malignancies or undergoing haematopoietic cell transplantation: updated recommendations from the 10th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia.

To update recommendations of the 4th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-4) on community-acquired respiratory virus (CARV) infections published in 2013, we reviewed publications from between Jan 1, 2014, and June 30, 2024 on adenovirus, bocavirus, coronavirus, influenzavirus, metapneumovirus, parainfluenzavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinovirus in patients with haematological malignancies or undergoing haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), or both. In the current ECIL recommendations (ECIL-10), we outline a common approach to infection control, laboratory testing, and diagnosis for all CARVs (including SARS-CoV-2) and specific management and deferral strategies for CARVs other than SARS-CoV-2. For influenzavirus, seasonal inactivated-vaccines and early antivirals are recommended, whereas routine antiviral prophylaxis is discouraged for immunocompromised patients.

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.

An ASTCT, CIBMTR, EBMT, and APBMT Consensus Statement Defining Response Criteria for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TA-TMA) Directed Therapy.

Background: Transplant associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) confers significant morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. The safety and efficacy of multiple TA-TMA directed therapeutic agents are being tested in ongoing clinical trials. In the absence of approved drugs, several treatments are used off-label.

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.

Updated recommendations for the management of hepatitis B, C, and E virus infections in patients with haematological malignancies and those undergoing haematopoietic cell transplantation: recommendations from the 9th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-9).

Viral hepatitis remains a global health challenge and immune status affects outcomes. In patients with haematological malignancies, including haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation recipients, viral hepatitis can be life-threatening due to the direct effects of the virus or the need to modify or delay chemotherapy. Additionally, haematopoietic stem-cell donors with past or current viral hepatitis infections might transmit the virus to recipients.

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.

Factors associated with outcomes following autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has emerged as a highly effective treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), though patient selection remains challenging. The degree to which disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and procedure-related complications affect treatment outcomes is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors that might influence outcomes following AHSCT.

Refractory and Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Mucocutaneous Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Literature Review and Proposed Definitions for Use in Clinical Trials.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most prevalent viral infections worldwide. In general, host immunity is sufficient to clear viral shedding and recurrences, although it is insufficient to prevent subsequent virologic reactivations. In immunocompromised patients, prolonged and difficult-to-treat HSV infections may develop.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that are refractory to disease-modifying therapy (DMT). AHSCT after failure of high-efficacy DMT in aggressive forms of relapsing-remitting MS is a generally accepted indication, yet the optimal placement of this approach in the treatment sequence is not universally agreed upon. Uncertainties also remain with respect to other indications, such as in rapidly evolving, severe, treatment-naive MS, progressive MS, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

The Stockholm early detection of cancer study (STEADY-CAN): rationale, design, data collection, and baseline characteristics for 2.7 million participants.

The Stockholm Early Detection of Cancer Study (STEADY-CAN) cohort was established to investigate strategies for early cancer detection in a population-based context within Stockholm County, the capital region of Sweden. Utilising real-world data to explore cancer-related healthcare patterns and outcomes, the cohort links extensive clinical and laboratory data from both inpatient and outpatient care in the region. The dataset includes demographic information, detailed diagnostic codes, laboratory results, prescribed medications, and healthcare utilisation data.

Drug-Drug Interaction Management with the Novel Anti-Cytomegalovirus Agents Letermovir and Maribavir: Guidance for Clinicians.

Letermovir and maribavir have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention and treatment, respectively, of immunosuppressed patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease. These patients often have polypharmacy making them at risk for drug-drug interactions. Both letermovir and maribavir can be perpetrators and victims of drug-drug interactions.

Viral infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Purpose Of Review: Viral infections are important complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. New infections develop such as SARS-CoV-2 with the potential for severe consequences. In this review, newly published information regarding management of viral infections is discussed.

Reduced Intensity transplantation vs chemotherapy in CR1. A prospective, pseudorandomized study in 50-70 year old AML patients.

The aim of this prospective, international multicenter, pseudorandomized study comparing RICT HCT to standard-of-care chemotherapy in intermediate- or high-risk AML patients 50-70 years using the donor versus no-donor concept. Part 1 included only patients with potential family donors (RD) at the date of HLA-typing of the first potential sibling or CR-date, if later. Part 2 allowed the inclusion of patients without a possible sibling donor using the start of an unrelated donor (URD) search as inclusion date.

Management of cytomegalovirus infections - Swedish recommendations 2023.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which mostly causes a subclinical infection early in life, has important clinical consequences in certain patient groups. CMV is the most common congenital infection and can cause permanent disabilities such as hearing loss and motor- and cognitive deficits in affected infants. In allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients, CMV still is an important infectious complication with a risk for life-threatening disease.

Consensus Definitions of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection and Disease in Transplant Patients Including Resistant and Refractory CMV for Use in Clinical Trials: 2024 Update From the Transplant Associated Virus Infections Forum.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease are important causes of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. For the purpose of developing consistent reporting of CMV outcomes in clinical trials, definitions of CMV infection and disease were developed and most recently published in 2017. Since then, there have been major developments, including registration of new antiviral agents.

Pitfalls in definitions on respiratory viruses and particularities of Adenovirus infection in hematopoietic cell transplantation patients: Recommendations from the EBMT practice harmonization and guidelines committee.

In 2023, the EBMT Practice harmonization and Guidelines Committee partnered with the EBMT Infection Diseases Working Party (IDWP) to undertake the task of delivering best practice recommendations, aiming to harmonize by expert consensus, the already existing definitions and future epidemiological and clinical studies among centers of the EBMT network. To attain this objective, a group of experts in the field was convened. The workgroup identified and discussed some critical aspects in definitions of community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARV) and adenovirus (ADV) infections in recipient of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT).

Adenovirus infections after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in children and adults: a study from the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

The objective of the study was the analysis of clinical types, outcomes, and risk factors associated with the outcome of adenovirus (ADV) infection, in children and adults after allo-HCT. A total number of 2529 patients (43.9% children; 56.