Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Disease in Pediatric Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review.

2017

2017 May 26

2048-7207

<p><strong>Background.: </strong>Although a number of risk factors have been associated with invasive fungal disease (IFD), a systematic review of the literature to document pediatric-specific factors has not been performed.</p>

<p><strong>Methods.: </strong>We used the Ovid SP platform to search Medline, Medline In-Process, and Embase for studies that identified risk factors for IFD in children with cancer or those who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We included studies if they consisted of children or adolescents (&lt;25 years) who were receiving treatment for cancer or undergoing HSCT and if the study evaluated risk factors among patients with and those without IFD.</p>

<p><strong>Results.: </strong>Among the 3566 studies screened, 22 studies were included. A number of pediatric factors commonly associated with an increased risk for IFD were confirmed, including prolonged neutropenia, high-dose steroid exposure, intensive-timing chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia, and acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Increasing age, a factor not commonly associated with IFD risk, was identified as a risk factor in multiple published cohorts.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions.: </strong>With this systematic review, we have confirmed IFD risk factors that are considered routinely in daily clinical practice. Increasing age should also be considered when assessing patient risk for IFD. Future efforts should focus on defining more precise thresholds for a particular risk factor (ie, age, neutropenia duration) and on development of prediction rules inclusive of individual factors to further refine the risk prediction.</p>

10.1093/jpids/pix030

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc

28549148

Guideline for the Management of Fever and Neutropenia in Children With Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation Recipients: 2017 Update.

2017

JCO2016717017

2017 May 01

1527-7755

<p>Purpose To update a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the empirical management of fever and neutropenia (FN) in children with cancer and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation recipients. Methods The International Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia Guideline Panel is a multidisciplinary and multinational group of experts in pediatric oncology and infectious diseases that includes a patient advocate. For questions of risk stratification and evaluation, we updated systematic reviews of observational studies. For questions of therapy, we conducted a systematic review of randomized trials of any intervention applied for the empirical management of pediatric FN. The Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to make strong or weak recommendations and to classify levels of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low. Results Recommendations related to initial presentation, ongoing management, and empirical antifungal therapy of pediatric FN were reviewed; the most substantial changes were related to empirical antifungal therapy. Key differences from our 2012 FN CPG included the listing of a fourth-generation cephalosporin for empirical therapy in high-risk FN, refinement of risk stratification to define patients with high-risk invasive fungal disease (IFD), changes in recommended biomarkers and radiologic investigations for the evaluation of IFD in prolonged FN, and a weak recommendation to withhold empirical antifungal therapy in IFD low-risk patients with prolonged FN. Conclusion Changes to the updated FN CPG recommendations will likely influence the care of pediatric patients with cancer and those undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Future work should focus on closing research gaps and on identifying ways to facilitate implementation and adaptation.</p>

10.1200/JCO.2016.71.7017

J. Clin. Oncol.

28459614

Galactomannan, Beta-D-Glucan and PCR-Based Assays for the Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Disease in Pediatric Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

2016

2016 Nov

1537-6591

<p>We systematically reviewed and analyzed the available data for galactomannan (GM), beta-D-glucan (BG), and polymerase-chain reaction (PCR)-based assays to detect invasive fungal disease (IFD) in pediatric cancer or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients when used as screening tools during immunosuppression or as diagnostic tests in patients presenting with symptoms such as fever during neutropenia (FN). Out of 1,532 studies screened, 25 studies reported on GM (n=19), BG (n=3) and PCR (n=11). All fungal biomarkers demonstrated highly variable sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values, and these were generally poor in both clinical settings. GM negative predictive values were high, ranging from 85-100% for screening and 70-100% in the diagnostic setting, but failure to identify non-Aspergillus molds limits its usefulness. Future work could focus on the usefulness of combinations of fungal biomarkers in pediatric cancer and HSCT.</p>

10.1093/cid/ciw592

Clin. Infect. Dis.

27567122

Results from a prospective, international, epidemiologic study of invasive candidiasis in children and neonates.

2012

1252-7

2012 Dec

1532-0987

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Candida species are the third most common cause of pediatric health care-associated bloodstream infection in the United States and Europe. To our knowledge, this report from the International Pediatric Fungal Network is the largest prospective, multicenter observational study dedicated to pediatric and neonatal invasive candidiasis.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>From 2007 to 2011, we enrolled 196 pediatric and 25 neonatal patients with invasive candidiasis.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Non-albicans Candida species predominated in pediatric (56%) and neonatal (52%) age groups, yet Candida albicans was the most common species in both groups. Successful treatment responses were observed in pediatric (76%) and neonatal patients (92%). Infection with Candida parapsilosis led to successful responses in pediatric (92%) and neonatal (100%) patients, whereas infection with Candida glabrata was associated with a lower successful outcome in pediatric patients (55%). The most commonly used primary antifungal therapies for pediatric invasive candidiasis were fluconazole (21%), liposomal amphotericin B (20%) and micafungin (18%). Outcome of pediatric invasive candidiasis was similar in response to polyenes (73%), triazoles (67%) and echinocandins (73%). The most commonly used primary antifungal therapies for neonatal invasive candidiasis were fluconazole (32%), caspofungin (24%) and liposomal amphotericin B (16%) and micafungin (8%). Outcomes of neonatal candidiasis by antifungal class again revealed similar response rates among the classes.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>We found a predominance of non-albicans Candida infection in children and similar outcomes based on antifungal class used. This international collaborative study sets the foundation for large epidemiologic studies focusing on the unique features of neonatal and pediatric candidiasis and comparative studies of therapeutic interventions in these populations.</p>

10.1097/INF.0b013e3182737427

Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.

22982980

Guideline for the management of fever and neutropenia in children with cancer and/or undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

2012

4427-38

2012 Dec 10

1527-7755

<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>To develop an evidence-based guideline for the empiric management of pediatric fever and neutropenia (FN).</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>The International Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia Guideline Panel is a multidisciplinary and multinational group composed of experts in pediatric oncology and infectious disease as well as a patient advocate. The Panel was convened for the purpose of creating this guideline. We followed previously validated procedures for creating evidence-based guidelines. Working groups focused on initial presentation, ongoing management, and empiric antifungal therapy. Each working group developed key clinical questions, conducted systematic reviews of the published literature, and compiled evidence summaries. The Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to generate summaries, and evidence was classified as high, moderate, low, or very low based on methodologic considerations.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Recommendations were made related to initial presentation (risk stratification, initial evaluation, and treatment), ongoing management (modification and cessation of empiric antibiotics), and empiric antifungal treatment (risk stratification, evaluation, and treatment) of pediatric FN. For each recommendation, the strength of the recommendation and level of evidence are presented.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>This guideline represents an evidence-based approach to FN specific to children with cancer. Although some recommendations are similar to adult-based guidelines, there are key distinctions in multiple areas. Implementation will require adaptation to the local context.</p>

10.1200/JCO.2012.42.7161

J. Clin. Oncol.

22987086

Variations in non-pharmacological anti-infective measures in childhood leukemia--results of an international survey.

2012

1548-52

2012 Oct

1592-8721

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Standardization in clinical practice may lead to improved outcomes. Unfortunately, little is known about the variability of non-pharmacological anti-infective measures in children with cancer.</p>

<p><strong>DESIGN AND METHODS: </strong>A web-based survey assessed institutional recommendations regarding restrictions of social contacts, pets and food and instructions on wearing face masks in public for children with standard- risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia during intensive chemotherapy.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>A total of 336 institutions in 27 countries responded to the survey (range, 1-76 institutions per country; overall response rate 61%). Most institutions recommend that patients with acute myeloid leukemia avoid indoor public places and daycare, kindergarten and school, whereas recommendations for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia differ considerably by institution. In terms of restrictions related to pets, there was a wide variability between institutions for both acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia patients. Most, but not all institutions do not allow children with either acute lymphoblastic or acute myeloid leukemia to eat raw meat, raw seafood or unpasteurized milk. Whereas most institutions do not routinely recommend that patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia wear face masks in public, advice on this matter varies for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>The survey demonstrates that there is a wide variation in recommendations on non-pharmacological anti-infective measures between different institutions, countries and continents. This information may be used to encourage harmonization of supportive care practices and future clinical trials.</p>

10.3324/haematol.2012.062885

Haematologica

22419572

Effectiveness of supportive care measures to reduce infections in pediatric AML: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

2013

3573-7

2013 May 2

1528-0020

<p>Objective was to describe the effect of antibiotic and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) prophylaxis and discharge policy on infection risk and nonrelapse-related mortality (NRM) during chemotherapy for children with acute myeloid leukemia. Patients were non-Down syndrome children enrolled on Children's Oncology Group (COG) trial AAML0531. We surveyed sites to determine institutional standards for systemic antibacterial, antifungal, and G-CSF prophylaxis, and mandatory hospitalization during neutropenia. COG institution survey response rate was 180 of 216 (83.3%). Of 1024 patients enrolled on AAML0531, 897 were non-Down patients from survey-responding institutions. In multiple regression, antibacterial prophylaxis reduced any sterile-site bacterial infection (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-1.01; P = .058) and Gram-positive sterile-site infection (IRR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57-0.90; P = .004). Prophylactic G-CSF reduced bacterial (IRR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67-0.92; P = .004) and Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs; IRR 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25-0.84; P = .012). Mandatory hospitalization did not reduce bacterial/fungal infection or significantly reduce NRM but did increase CDI (IRR 1.96; 95% CI, 1.34-2.87; P &lt; .001). Antibacterial and G-CSF prophylaxis reduced infection rates while mandatory hospitalization did not reduce infection or significantly affect NRM. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #AAML0531.</p>

10.1182/blood-2013-01-476614

Blood

23471307

Bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy in patients with cancer and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

2015

501-9

02/2015

1527-7755

<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>The objective of this study was to describe the diagnostic yield and complication rate of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung biopsy in the evaluation of pulmonary lesions in patients with cancer and recipients of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT).</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>We conducted a systematic literature review and performed electronic searches of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies were included if patients had cancer or were recipients of HSCT, and if they underwent BAL or lung biopsy for the evaluation of pulmonary lesions. Only English language publications were included.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>In all, 14,148 studies were screened; 72 studies of BAL and 31 of lung biopsy were included. The proportion of procedures leading to any diagnosis was similar by procedure type (0.53 v 0.54; P = .94) but an infectious diagnosis was more common with BAL compared with lung biopsy (0.49 v 0.34; P &lt; .001). Lung biopsy more commonly led to a noninfectious diagnosis (0.43 v 0.07; P &lt; .001) and was more likely to change how the patient was managed (0.48 v 0.31; P = .002) compared with BAL. However, complications were more common with lung biopsy (0.15 v 0.08; P = .006), and procedure-related mortality was four-fold higher for lung biopsy (0.0078) compared with BAL (0.0018).</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>BAL may be the preferred diagnostic modality for the evaluation of potentially infectious pulmonary lesions because of lower complication and mortality rates; thus, choice of procedure depends on clinical suspicion of infection. Guidelines to promote consistency in the approach to the evaluation of lung infiltrates may improve clinical care of patients.</p>

10.1200/JCO.2014.58.0480

J. Clin. Oncol.

25559816