Key Points• Detection of multiple HY-Abs at 3 months post-F→M HCT predicts cGVHD incidence, severity, and nonrelapse mortality.• Patients with a high HY score may be good candidates for cGVHD prevention trials, especially those targeting allogeneic B cells.Allogeneic antibodies against minor histocompatibility antigens encoded on the Y chromosome (HY-Abs) develop after hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) of male recipients with female donors (F→M). However, the temporal association between HY-Ab development and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has yet to be elucidated. We studied 136 adult F→M HCT patients, with plasma prospectively collected through 3 years posttransplant, and measured immunoglobulin G against 6 H-Y antigens. Multiple HY-Abs were frequently detected beginning at 3 months posttransplant: 78 (57%) of F→M patients were seropositive for at least 1 of the 6 HY-Abs, and 3-month seropositivity for each HYAb was associated with a persistent seropositive response throughout the posttransplant follow-up period (P < .001 in each). There were no associations between pretransplant features and 3-month overall HY-Ab development. Detection of multiple HY-Abs at 3 months (represented by HY score) was significantly associated with an increased risk of cGVHD (P < .0001) and nonrelapse mortality (P < .01). Compared to clinical factors alone, the addition of HY score to clinical factors improved the predictive potential of cGVHD (P < .01). Monitoring HY-Ab development thus stratifies cGVHD risk in F→M HCT patients and may support preemptive prophylaxis therapy for cGVHD beginning at 3 months posttransplant. (Blood. 2015;125(20):3193-3201)
Background Cellulitis is an infection most commonly caused by bacteria and successfully treated with antibiotics. However, certain patient populations, especially the immunocompromised, are at risk for fungal cellulitis, which can be misidentified as bacterial cellulitis and contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Case presentations We describe three cases of opportunistic fungal cellulitis in immunosuppressed patients that were initially mistaken for bacterial infections refractory to antibiotic therapy. However, atypical features of cellulitis ultimately prompted further diagnostics to identify fungal cellulitis and allow initiation of appropriate antifungals. We discuss: (1) a 52-year-old male immunosuppressed hematopoietic cell transplant recipient with Fusarium solani cellulitis on his right lower extremity that was treated with amphotericin B and voriconazole with full resolution of the cellulitis; (2) a 70-year-old male lung transplant recipient with Fusarium solani cellulitis on his left lower extremity that ultimately progressed despite antifungals; and (3) a 68-year-old male with a history of kidney transplantation with suspected Purpureocillium lilacinum cellulitis on his left lower extremity ultimately treated with posaconazole with resolution of the skin lesions. Conclusions Fusarium solani and Purpureocillium lilacinum are important pathogens causing opportunistic fungal cellulitis. These cases remind providers to be vigilant for fungal cellulitis when skin and soft tissue infection does not adequately respond to antibiotics and atypical features of cellulitis are present.
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) limits the effectiveness of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and often leads to significant morbidity and non-relapse mortality. 1 We have previously shown that antibodies targeting Y-chromosome encoded proteins (HY antibodies) detected at 3-months post transplant in male HCT patients who receive grafts from a female donor (F→M) are associated with cGvHD development, non-relapse mortality (NRM), and decreased overall survival (OS). 2,3 However, it is not known if this marker can be applied to the general population. In this multi-center, retrospective cohort study, we measured HY antibody levels in 234 F→M HCT patients with either plasma or serum samples collected at both the 3-month and 1-year post-transplant time points and determined the multivariable-adjusted relationship between the presence of multiple HY antibodies (represented as HY score) and cGvHD development.We quantified antibodies against the five most informhaematologica 2019; 104:e314 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Figure 1. Anti-HY antibody responses in female donor to male recipient (F→M) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients with and without chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). Comparison included 234 F→M samples taken three months post transplant (3M) and 185 samples taken one year post transplant (1Y). Intensity of the antibody response is color-coded as a multiple of each HY-seropositivity threshold. HY score represents the cumulative number of seropositive HY antigens. Seropositivity frequencies for each antibody are listed along the bottom border of each heat map. HY score frequency refers to the frequency of an HY score >1.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have traditionally been used to detect alloantibodies in patient plasma samples post hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT); however, protein microarrays have the potential to be multiplexed, more sensitive, and higher throughput than ELISAs. Here, we describe the development of a novel and sensitive microarray method for detection of allogeneic antibodies against minor histocompatibility antigens encoded on the Y chromosome, called HY antigens. Six microarray surfaces were tested for their ability to bind recombinant protein and peptide HY antigens. Significant allogeneic immune responses were determined in male patients with female donors by considering normal male donor responses as baseline. HY microarray results were also compared with our previous ELISA results. Our overall goal was to maximize antibody detection for both recombinant protein and peptide epitopes. For detection of HY antigens, the Epoxy (Schott) protein microarray surface was both most sensitive and reliable and has become the standard surface in our microarray platform.
Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a rare, inherited disorder of keratin filaments characterized by palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, keratoderma, and extreme pain. Management is largely symptomatic and typically involves multimodal pain control strategies. Here, we report the treatment of one 21-year-old man’s refractory neuropathic PC pain with a 4-day inpatient ketamine infusion. Within 1 night of beginning treatment, his pain diminished to a 0/10 without any adverse effects, with effects lasting 2 weeks. No reported PC pain regimens have made use of intravenous ketamine; thus, we suggest recurrent ketamine infusions as an additional option in the multimodal pain regimen for patients with PC.
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