Nonmyeloablative conditioning is less toxic and results in initial establishment of mixed hematopoietic T cell chimerism for up to half a year with prolonged presence of host T cell immunity. In this study, we examined whether this translates into differences in the risks and/or severity of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease. We analyzed data from 537 nonmyeloablative (NM-HCT) and contemporaneous 2489 myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplant (M-HCT) recipients. In CMV seropositive recipients, no difference in the overall hazards of CMV infection at any level [adjusted hazard ratio (adj. HR) 0.9, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.7-1.0, P=0.14] was noted; however, NM-HCT was associated with a lower risk of high-grade CMV infection (adj. HR 0.7, 95%CI: 0.5-0.9, P=0.02). CMV disease rates were similar between the groups during the first 100 days after HCT but NM-HCT recipients had an increased risk of late CMV disease (adj. HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4). The increased risk of late CMV disease after NM-HCT was pronounced during the earlier years of the study period but not detectable in more recent years. Contrary to earlier reports, survival following CMV disease was not reduced after NM-HCT when compared to M-HCT recipients. These results suggest that residual host cells after NM-HCT reduce progression to higher CMV viral load in NM-HCT recipients; however, this effect does not appear to protect against serious complications of CMV. Therefore, CMV prevention strategies in NM-HCT recipients should be similar to those used in M-HCT recipients.

BackgroundDengue infection patients are presented with acute febrile illness. Clinical presentations may mimic other infections. The serology for definite diagnosis is costly and inaccessible in many hospitals. We sought to identify the clinical features and hematologic parameters from a complete blood count (CBC) which distinguish dengue infection from other causes.MethodsThis was a retrospective single center study from Chiang Mai University Hospital. All patients who presented with acute fever between September 2013 and July 2015 were included. The diagnosis of dengue infection must be confirmed by serology. The control groups were patients who presented with acute febrile illness without localizing signs. Clinical data and CBC results were reviewed and compared. The Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. The CBC parameters were analyzed using the linear mixed model.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-four dengue and 146 control patients were included. Headache, nausea, loss of appetite and bleeding diathesis were significantly symptoms in dengue patients (p < 0.05). There was some diversity in the the CBC in the dengue patients compared to the control group. Moreover, this study also identified the day of fever which these parameters were statistically significant. The dengue group had higher hemoglobin and hematocrit from day 3 to day 10 (p < 0.001), lower white blood cell count from day 1 to day 10 (p < 0.001), lower platelet count from day 3 to day 10 (p < 0.001), higher monocyte on day 1–4 (p < 0.001), higher atypical lymphocyte percentage on day 5–9 (p < 0.001) and higher eosinophil percentage on day 9–10 (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the neutrophil to lymphocyte percentage ratio of dengue group was > 1 on the first 5 days then reversed on day 6 to Day 9 but in non-dengue group, the ratio was always > 1.ConclusionWe identified important clinical features and CBC parameters to differentiate dengue patients from other patients who had acute febrile illness from other causes. This identification could be done in local hospitals to give an accurate diagnosis, enabling further investigation to be tailored and treatment commenced earlier.

Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by proliferation of one or more myeloid lineages. Polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are classical Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative MPN that have a Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) mutation, especially JAK2V617F in the majority of patients. The major complications of Ph-negative MPNs are thrombosis, hemorrhage, and leukemic transformation. Objective: To study clinical manifestations including symptoms, signs, laboratory findings, and JAK2V617F mutations of Ph-negative MPN (PV, ET and PMF) as well as their complications. Materials and Methods: All Ph-negative MPN (PV, ET and PMF) patients who attended the Hematology Clinic at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from January, 1 2003 through December, 31 2013 were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, clinical characteristics, complete blood count, JAK2V617F mutation analysis, treatment, and complications. Results: One hundred and fifty seven patients were included in the study. They were classified as PV, ET and PMF for 68, 83 and 6 with median ages of 60, 61, and 68 years, respectively. JAK2V617F mutations were detected in 88%, 69%, and 100% of PV, ET and PMF patients. PV had the highest incidence of thrombosis (PV 29%, ET 14%, and PMF 0%) that occurred in both arterial and venous sites whereas PMF had the highest incidence of bleeding (PMF 17%, ET 11%, and PV 7%). During follow up, there was one ET patient that transformed to acute leukemia and five cases that developed thrombosis (three ET and two PV patients). No secondary myelofibrosis and death cases were encountered. Conclusions: Ph-negative MPNs have various clinical manifestations. JAK2V617F mutations are present in the majority of PV, ET, and PMF patients. This study confirmed that thrombosis and bleeding are the most significant complications in patients with Ph-negative MPN.

AIHA has a good prognosis and long-term survival especially in young patients without malignancy. Most patients have responded initially to steroids and have a high response rate to second-line therapy. Carefully adjusted and rapid taper of immunosuppressant is necessary to avoid sepsis complications.

We conducted a 2-year multicentre prospective observational study to determine the epidemiology of and mortality associated with invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) among patients with haematological disorders in Asia. Eleven institutions from 8 countries/regions participated, with 412 subjects (28.2% possible, 38.3% probable and 33.5% proven IFDs) recruited. The epidemiology of IFDs in participating institutions was similar to Western centres, with Aspergillus spp. (65.9%) or Candida spp. (26.7%) causing the majority of probable and proven IFDs. The overall 30-day mortality was 22.1%. Progressive haematological disorder (odds ratio [OR] 5.192), invasive candidiasis (OR 3.679), and chronic renal disease (OR 6.677) were independently associated with mortality.