Hematological Malignancies in Sickle Cell Disease Patients: Report of Four Cases in Togo and Literature Review

Background: Hemopathies were rarely observed in major sickle cell disease patients some thirty years ago, probably due to the high mortality rate among the latter as a result of progressive complications. Thanks to advances in the management of sickle cell disease, patients' life expectancy has increased considerably, exposing them more frequently to neoplasia, including hematological malignancies. The increased risk of leukemogenesis is multifactorial and linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms of the clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease. Study Setting: The clinical haematology department of campus teaching hospital and the paediatric onco-haematology unit of Sylvanus Olympio teaching hospital in Lomé were used as study settings. Observations: Four hematologic malignancies were collected in a cohort of 5847 major sickle cell syndromes. The median age of the patients was 31.25 years (extremes: 14 and 58 years) and they were predominantly female (sex ratio M/F = 0.25). Two were on background therapy with hydroxyurea. Among the four patients, there were two cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia, including ALL3 in a 58-year-old SS woman and T-ALL2 in a 12-year-old SC. Then, a case of lymphocytic lymphoma in a 20-year-old SS man was reported and finally a case of chronic myelocytic leukemia in a 33-year-old woman of Sβ+ thalassaemia phenotype. Conclusion: To further report this coexistence, it is therefore essential to systematically consider hematological malignancies during major sickle cell syndromes even if there are similarities in the symptomatology of these two serious pathological situations.

Hematological Alterations in an Eastern Sudanese Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Population

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), associated with a slow and progressive loss of kidney function over a period of several years, is an important clinical disaster with an increasing rate of morbidity and mortality especially in the least developed countries. Many hematological parameters are thought to alter dramatically during the course of the disease. These include white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Methods: We tried, retrospectively, to evaluate the peripheral blood hematological alterations in a group of patients undergoing hemodialysis in an eastern Sudan dialysis center to add local medical information. Results: Anemia (Low hemoglobin and hematocrit) was detected in 94% of the patients’ group. Mean Erythrocyte count (3.32vs.4.76 (×109/L)), Hemoglobin concentration (9.4vs.13 (g/dl)), Hematocrit (28.7vs.38.7 (L/L)) and platelet count (296 vs. 238 (×109/L)) were significantly lower in the patients’ group than in the control group (P-values Conclusion: Five out of eight studied parameters (Red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and platelets count) have shown a significant alteration in CKD patients. As the complete blood count (CBC) test is the most utilized test in clinical laboratory practice, these alterations may be considered as early indicators for CKD. Furthermore, all patients with CKD must be routinely checked for these alterations.

Impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI)-based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:A total of 155 patients with CHB-related HCC who received ICI–based therapy(in the Department of Hepatology,Tianjin Second People’s Hospital and Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology,Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute&Hospital)between April 2021 and December 2023 were evaluated.Patients were divided into two groups:MASLD concurrent with CHB[MASLD-CHB](n=38),and CHB(n=117).Results:The median progression-free survival(PFS,6.9 months vs.9.3 months;P=0.001),progressive disease(57.89%vs.37.61%;P=0.028),and disease control rate(42.11%vs.62.39%;P=0.028)in the MASLD-CHB group were significantly worse than the CHB group.The median overall survival was not attained.The percentage of CD4+PD1+(17.56%vs.8.89%;P<0.001)and CD8+PD1+T cells(10.50%vs.7.42%;P=0.005)in patient samples from the MASLD-CHB group were significantly higher than the CHB group.Concurrent MASLD[hazard ratio(HR)=1.921;95%CI,1.138–3.245;P=0.015]and alpha-fetoprotein levels after 3 months of treatment(HR=2.412;95%CI,1.360–4.279;P=0.003)were independent risk factors for PFS in all patients.Conclusions:ICI-based therapy in patients with CHB-related HCC and concurrent MASLD resulted in poorer efficacy and shorter PFS compared to patients with CHB-related HCC alone.

Efficacy and Safety of Lianhua Qingke Tablets in the Treatment of Long Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Cough: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Study

Lianhua Qingke tablets,a patented traditional Chinese medicine that has validated clinical efficacy for treating cough caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection,lack rigorous evidence-based research evaluating their effect on long coronavirus disease(COVID)cough.A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical study was conducted among patients with long COVID cough from 19 hospitals and 23 community health centers in China.Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either Lianhua Qingke tablets or placebo orally for 14 days(four tablets,1.84 g,three times a day).The primary endpoint indicator was the disappearance of cough,with the remission of cough also considered.Among 482 randomized patients,480(full analysis set 480;per-protocol set 470;safety set 480)were included in the primary analysis.According to the full analysis,the time until cough disappearance was significantly shorter in the trial group than in the control group,with a significant increase in the 14-day cough disappearance rate.Accordingly,the time to cough remission was significantly shorter in the trial group than in the control group.The change in the total symptom score was significantly greater in the trial group than in the control group on days 7 and 14,consistent with the results indicated by the visual analog scale(VAS)and cough evaluation test(CET)scores.No serious adverse events were recorded during the study.Lianhua Qingke tablets significantly improved the clinical symptoms of patients with long COVID cough.

Efficacy of Combined Phacoemulsification and Goniosynechialysis in the Treatment of Patients with Primary Angle Closure Disease and Concomitant Cataract at Preah Ang Duong Hospital in Cambodia

Background: Goniosynechialysis is a surgical procedure that has been shown to slow the progression of glaucoma in oriental eyes with chronic angle closure glaucoma. This procedure was successful in 80% of cases, and the peripheral anterior syenchiae did not exist until one year later. Nonetheless, there is little evidence of its efficacy in our context. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy of goniosynechialysis during phacoemulsification in patients with primary angle closure disease and concomitant cataract. Methods: This was an observational, prospective study. The intra-ocular pressure, need for anti-glaucoma drugs, visual acuity, the extent of synechiae, anterior chamber depth, surgical success rate, and other indicators were monitored for at least three months following surgery. Results: This study included 114 patients (118 eyes), 61 with chronic angle closure glaucoma (51.69%), 33 with primary angle closure (27.97%), and 24 with acute attack angle closure (20.34%), who were surgically treated with phacoemulsification and goniosynechialysis (Phaco-GSL). The mean intra-ocular pressure had significantly decreased three months after surgery (pre- vs post-op: 22.04 ± 10.86 vs 15.41 ± 6.06 mmHg, p-value p-value p-value p-value p-value Conclusion: Regardless of the type of glaucoma, combined phacoemulsification-goniosynechialysis is effective in lowering pressure, restoring vision, reducing the need for anti-glaucoma drugs, and preventing the synechial recurrence. Success was higher in eyes with less extensive synechiae. Phaco-GSL is safe and effective in the treatment of primary angle closure diseases with co-existing cataract.

Comprehensive evaluation of nutritional status before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 170 patients with hematological diseases

Objective： To investigate the nutritional status of patients before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation（HSCT）, and explore optimal methods for assessing nutritional status in patients with hematological diseases.Methods： This cohort study enrolled 170 patients who were diagnosed with hematological diseases and underwent allogeneic HSCT in the Department of Hematology, Peking University People＇s Hospital between May2011 and April 2013. We used fixed-point continuous sampling and four nutritional screening tools, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002（NRS-2002）, Mini Nutritional Assessment（MNA）, Subjective Global Assessment（SGA） and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tools（MUST）, in combination with body measurements, to extensively screen and evaluate nutritional risks and status in patients receiving HSCT before entering and after leaving laminar air flow rooms.Results： After HSCT, patients had significant reduction in weight, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, calf circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and suprailiac skinfold thickness compared with pre-HSCT measurements. Before HSCT, NRS-2002 identified that 21.2% of patients were at nutritional risks, compared with100% after HSCT. MUST indicated that before HSCT, 11.77% of patients were at high nutritional risk,compared with 59.63% after HSCT. MNA assessed that 0.06% of patients were malnourished before HSCT,compared with 19.27% after HSCT. SGA identified that before HSCT, 1.76% of patients had mild to severe malnutrition, which increased to 83.3% after HSCT. There is a significant increase in the nutritional risk and malnutrition in patients who received HSCT.Conclusions： Before HSCT, some patients already had nutritional risk or nutritional deficiencies, and prompt and close nutritional screening or assessment should be performed. The nutritional status of patients after HSCT was generally deteriorated compared with that before transplantation. Body measurements should be taken more frequently during the subsequent treatment window in the laminar air flow rooms. After HSCT, it is recommended to combine MNA and SGA to fully evaluate the nutritional status, and thus provide timely and reasonable nutritional support.

Towards an evaluation of alcoholic liver cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with hematological scales

BACKGROUND Seeking potentially novel blood markers of liver fibrosis and steatosis is constantly of crucial importance.Despite a growing number of studies in this field of hepatology,a certain role of hematological indices in the course of liver disorders has not been fully elucidated,yet.AIM To evaluate a diagnostic accuracy of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)and mean platelet volume-to-platelet-ratio(MPR)in the course of alcoholic liver cirrhosis(ALC)and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS One hundred forty-two patients with ALC,92 with NAFLD and 68 persons in control group were enrolled in the study.Hematological indices(NLR,PLR and MPR),indirect and direct markers of liver fibrosis(aspartate transaminase to alkaline transaminase ratio,aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index,fibrosis-4,gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio,procollagen Ⅰ carboxyterminal propeptide,procollagen Ⅲ aminoterminal propeptide,transforming growth factor-α,platelet-derived growth factor AB,laminin)were measured in each person.Model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score in ALC group and NAFLD fibrosis score together with BARD score were calculated in NAFLD patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and area under the curve(AUC)values were applied to assess the sensitivity and specificity of examined markers and to evaluate proposed cut-offs of measured indices in the course of ALC and NAFLD.RESULTS MPR and NLR values in ALC patients were significantly higher in comparison to control group;PLR level was significantly lower.MPR and PLR correlated with assessed indirect and direct markers of liver fibrosis.MPR,NLR and PLR correlated with MELD score.NLR level in NAFLD patients was significantly higher in comparison to controls.MPR correlated with indirect markers of liver fibrosis and NAFLD fibrosis score.AUC values and proposed cut-offs for NLR,PLR and MPR in ALC patients were:0.821(>2.227),0.675(<70.445)and 0.929(>0.048),respectively.AUC values and proposed cut-offs for NLR,PLR and MPR in NAFLD group were:0.725(>2.034),0.528(>97.101)and 0.547(>0.038),respectively.CONCLUSION Hematological markers are inseparably connected with serological indices of liver fibrosis in ALC and NAFLD patients.MPR and NLR turned out to be the most powerful parameters in ALC patients.

Sarcopenia and gut microbiota alterations in patients with hematological diseases before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia(SP) and its relationship with gut microbiota alterations in patients with hematological diseases before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods: A total of 108 patients with various hematological disorders were selected from Peking University People’s Hospital. SP was screened and diagnosed based on the 2019 Asian Sarcopenia Diagnosis Strategy. Physical measurements and fecal samples were collected, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted. Alpha and beta diversity analyses were performed to evaluate gut microbiota composition and diversity.Results: After HSCT, significant decreases in calf circumference and body mass index(BMI) were observed,accompanied by a decline in physical function. Gut microbiota analyses revealed significant differences in the relative abundance of Enterococcus, Bacteroides, Blautia and Dorea species before and after HSCT(P<0.05). Before HSCT, sarcopenic patients had lower Dorea levels and higher Phascolarctobacterium levels than non-sarcopenia patients(P<0.01). After HSCT, no significant differences in species abundance were observed. Alpha diversity analysis showed significant differences in species diversity among the groups, with the highest diversity in the postHSCT 90-day group and the lowest in the post-HSCT 30-day group. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in species composition between pre-and post-HSCT time points but not between SP groups. Linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEfSe) identified Alistipes, Rikenellaceae, Alistipes putredinis, Prevotellaceae defectiva and Blautia coccoides as biomarkers for the pre-HSCT sarcopenia group. Functional predictions showed significant differences in anaerobic, biofilm-forming and oxidative stress-tolerant functions among the groups(P<0.05).Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significant decline in physical function after HSCT and identified potential gut microbiota biomarkers and functional alterations associated with SP in patients with hematological disorders. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Hematological Disorders during Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3 to 5 Non-Dialysed in Cameroon

Introduction: Haematological disorders are common complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading by anemia which increase with the severity of the disease. Objective: Assess the haematological profile of CKD patients stages 3 to 5 non-dialysed seen at the first nephrology consultation in Cameroon. Patients and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2018 at the nephrology unit of the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital and Douala General Hospital. All adults’ (≥18 years old) patients who provided a written informed consent and attended their first nephrology consultation with a nephrologist diagnosis of CKD stages 3 to 5 non-dialysed were included. Clinical and paraclinical data (serum creatinine, full blood count, reticulocytes count, iron status, vitamin B12 and folates count, and bleeding time) were collected. Parametric, non-parametric and correlations tests were used to compare variables. Results: We included 105 (59% males) participants with a mean age of 55.2 ± 13.6 years divided into 20 (19%), 36 (34.3%) and 49 (46.7%) respectively in stage G3, G4 and G5 of CKD. The profile of hematological abnormalities was anemia (86.7%), leucopenia (15.2%), hyperleucocytosis (6.7%), thrombopenia (23.8%), thrombocytosis (3.8%) and prolonged bleeding time (13.3%) without any association with the stage of CKD (p > 0.05). The pattern of anemia was mainly normocytic and normochromic (59.3%) and aregenerative (92.3%) with iron deficiency found in 23 (21.9%) participants. There was no case of vitamin B12 and folates deficiency. Prolonged bleeding time was observed in 14 (13.3%) participants with a weak correlation between platelets count and bleeding time (r = 0.122). Conclusion: We observed that aregenerative normocytic normochromic anemia is the leading haematological abnormality during CKD in this setting. None of the full blood count parameters was associated with CKD stages and there was a week correlation between bleeding time and platelet count.

Application of Quality of Life Scale in Hematological Disease Research

Quality of life research is an emerging and rapidly developing health measurement technology.Quality of life assessment is performed using scales.Accurate quality of life assessment provides comprehensive information of patient which allows clinicians to put emphasis on overall quality of life(Total QOL)of patient.Quality of life scales have been applied for analysis of diseases such as leukemia and immune thrombocytopenia.This article reviews the use of commonly used quality of life scales for hematological diseases.

Studies on the Inactivated Oil Emulsion Binary Vaccine against Newcastle Disease and Fowl Cholera(Ⅲ)——Safety and Immune Efficacy Test of Vaccine on Duck and Goose

[Objective] The aim of this study is to provide theoretical basis for immunizing waterfowls(duck and goose)with the inactivated oil emulsion binary vaccine against Newcastle Disease(ND)and Fowl Cholera(FC).[Method]Bacterial liquid from solid culture media inoculated avian Pasteurella multocida(APM)type A and allantoic fluid from embryonic eggs infected with Newcastle Disease Virus(NDV)attenuated strain La Sota were mixed and inactivated by formalin to prepare 5 batches of inactivated oil emulsion binary vaccine,which were then used for the safety and immune efficacy test on duck and goose.[Result]Immunized ducks and geese didn't performed any adverse reactions in the safety test of the 5 batches of vaccine;the immune efficacy test showed that ND-HI antibody titers of ducks and geese were no less than 4 log2 three weeks after inoculation,and the protection rates against NDV and APM were 100% and 66.7%-83.3%,respectively.[Conclusion]The binary vaccine against ND and FC is safe and reliable for duck and goose,and can provide them with sufficient immunity protection against ND and FC.

Control Efficacy and Antifungal Mechanism of Bacillus Cereus Strain JK14 against Wheat Take-all Disease

[Objective] Study on control efficacy and inhibitory effect of Bacillus cereus strain JK14^·against wheat take-all disease, investigating its antifungal mechanism. [Method] B. cereus JK14^· was isolated from soil in the rhizosphere of wheat, inhibitory effects of whose nutrient solution form against Gaeumannomyces graminis var tritici strains 9862 and 9812 were measured in laboratory and then for its antifungal mechanism. The strain JK14^· with rifampicin and wheat take-all disease resistance was screened by increasing concentration of the two substrates, and colonization of JK14^·was studied. [Result] In pot experiment, the control effects of JK14^·, against 9862 and 9812 are 63% and 59%, respectively, which are higher than that of chemical fungicides, with 55% and 51% , respectively. JK14^· could deform mycelium and causes degradation of cell wall. And there are also dynamic change of JK14^· in root system. JK14^· on seed could extend to root along with seed germination and rooting, but per unit tissue mycelium number decreased gradually. [Conclusion] The results indicate some control efficacy of B. cereus strain JK14^· against wheat take-all disease.

Methods and New Developments in the Treatment of Hematological Diseases with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

Objective:To understand the methods and progress of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of hematological diseases,and to provide ideas for integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of hematological diseases.Methods:Searching the CNKI,Wanfang and Weipu databases with"integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine","hematological disease",and"traditional Chinese medicine"as the key words,for related literature of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of hematological disease,screening and analyzing the literature.Results:After decades of development,the methods of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of hematological diseases have been developed from initial exploration to clinical practice,from wide application to recent progress.The combination methods include the combination of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine,as well as the combination of Western medicine and non-medicine of traditional Chinese medicine.The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine includes the combination of Chinese and Western medicine,sequential and alternate methods,etc.The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of hematological diseases has significant effects in enhancing efficiency and reducing toxicity,improving the quality of life and prolonging the survival period.Conclusion:The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has obvious curative effect,high safety and various methods in treating hematologic diseases.

Ailogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for malignant hematological diseases in patients older than 50 years of age

Objective To investigate the efficiency and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for malignant hematological diseases in patients older than 50 years of age. Methods From May 2002 to January 2010,35 patients P 】 50 years with malignant hematological diseases received allogeneic hematopoietic

Fecal microbiota transplantation for treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:Mechanism,clinical evidence,and prospect

The population of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)patients along with relevant advanced liver disease is projected to continue growing,because currently no medications are approved for treatment.Fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)is believed a novel and promising therapeutic approach based on the concept of the gut-liver axis in liver disease.There has been an increase in the number of pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating FMT in NAFLD treatment,however,existing findings diverge on its effects.Herein,we briefly summarized the mechanism of FMT for NAFLD treatment,reviewed randomized controlled trials for evaluating its efficacy in NAFLD,and proposed the prospect of future trials on FMT.

Efficacy of early treatment with infliximab in pediatric Crohn’s disease

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of early infliximab use for induction and maintenance therapy in pediatric Crohn’s disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 36 patients with Crohn’s disease. Ten patients (group A) were treated with mesalamine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone, and 13 patients (group B) were treated with azathioprine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone. Thirteen patients (group C) received infliximab and azathioprine for induction and maintenance therapy for the first year, and were treated with azathioprine after 1 year. All patients were followed for at least 24 mo. Efficacy was determined by the relapse rate using the pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index score in each group at 12 and 24 mo. RESULTS: At the 1 year follow-up, the relapse ratee, Mi Jin Kim, Hae Jeong Lee, Yon Ho Choe (23.1%, 3 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (61.5%, 8 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). At the 2 years follow-up, the relapse rate (38.5%, 5 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (76.9%, 10 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). Adverse events in group C were fewer than in groups A and B. CONCLUSION: Early induction with infliximab at diagnosis, known as "top-down" therapy, was effective for reducing the relapse rate compared to conventional therapies for at least 2 years.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Chelation Treatment with Typical Penicillamine in Cross Combination with DMPS Repeatedly for Wilson's Disease

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of chelation treatment with penicillamine （PCA） in cross combination with sodium 2, 3-dimercapto-l-propane sulfonate （DMPS） repeatedly in patients with Wilson＇s disease （WD）. Thirty-five patients with WD were enrolled. They were administrated intravenous DMPS in cross combination with oral PCA alternately which was practiced repeatedly, all with Zinc in the meantime. During the treatment, clinical observations and 24-h urine copper excretion as well as adverse effects of medicines were recorded and analyzed. Although the incidence of adverse effects was not significantly different after either intravenous DMPS or oral PCA treatment, levels of 24-h urine copper tended to be higher after short-term intravenous DMPS than that of oral PCA. Adverse effects in the course of intravenous DMPS were mainly neutropenia, thrombocy- topenia, allergic reaction and bleeding tendency. As compared with oral PCA alone or intravenous DMPS alone, such repeated cross combination treatment could as much as possible avoid continued drug adverse effects or poor curative effect and had less chance to stop treatment in WD patients. Im- proved or recovered liver fimction in 71% of the patients, alleviated neurologic symptoms in 50% of the patients, and disappeared hematuria in 70% of the patients could be observed during the follow-up pe- riod of 6 months to 5 years after such combined chelation regimen. Chelation treatment repeatedly with oral penicillamine in cross combination with intravenous DMPS alternately could be more beneficial for WD patients to relieve symptoms, avoid continued drug adverse effects and maitain lifelong therapy.

Efficacy of the vaccination in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with conditions that may predispose to infections, such as the lack of an appropriate innate immune response to infectious agents, malnutrition, surgery, and immunosuppressive and biological drugs. Some of these infections may be preventable by vaccination. Therefore, for this particular patient population, the benefits of implementing a well-established immunization protocol in daily clinical practice are potentially even greater than for the general population. In recent years international consensus guidelines have been published, but in spite of theses recommendations, studies have shown that a significant number of patients with IBD remain inadequately immunized. Another important issue regarding immunization in this population is that vaccine efficacy among patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies has been variable. In a healthy population, a humoral immune response to hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) is expected in > 90%, whereas a much lower rate is achieved in the IBD patients. Immunosuppressive, anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy and disease activity have been implicated in the impaired efficacy of the vaccination. The serological response to HBV should be confirmed and patients with an inadequate response should receive a second full series of vaccine. Modified dosing regimens, including doubling the standard antigen dose, might increase the effectiveness. Response to influenza, pneumococcal and tetanus immunization is still not clear, as there are studies that show a normal response to the vaccination while others demonstrate a lack of efficacy. We pose a series of questions on the efficacy of the different vaccinations recommended for IBD patients and attempt to answer them using scientific evidence.

Efficacy of 6-mercaptopurine treatment after azathioprine hypersensitivity in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in cases of azathioprine (AZA) hypersensitivity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Twenty nine previously confirmed Crohn’s disease (CD) (n = 14) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 15) patients with a known previous (AZA) hypersensitivity reaction were studied prospectively. The 6-MP doses were gradually increased from 0.5 up to 1.0-1.5 mg/kg per day. Clinical activity indicies (CDAI/CAI), laboratory variables and daily doses of oral 5-ASA, corticosteroids, and 6-MP were assessed before and in the first, sixth and twelfth months of treatment. RESULTS: In 9 patients, 6-MP was withdrawn in the first 2 wk due to an early hypersensitivity reaction. Medication was ineffective within 6 mo in 6 CD patients, and myelotoxic reaction was observed in two. Data were evaluated at the end of the sixth month in 12 (8 UC, 4 CD) patients, and after the first year in 9 (6 UC, 3 CD) patients. CDAI decreased transiently at the end of the sixth month, but no significant changes were observed in the CDAI or the CAI values at the end of the year. Leukocyte counts (P = 0.01), CRP (P = 0.02), and serum iron (P = 0.05) values indicated decreased inflammatory reactions, especially in the UC patients at the end of the year, making the possibility to taper oral steroid doses. CONCLUSION: About one-third of the previously AZA- intolerant patients showed adverse effects on taking 6MP. In our series, 20 patients tolerated 6MP, but it was ineffective in 8 CD cases, and valuable mainly in ulcerative colitis patients.

Long-term efficacy of infliximab maintenance therapy for perianal Crohn’s disease

AIM:To assess the long-term efficacy of seton drainage with infliximab maintenance therapy in treatment of stricture for perianal Crohn’s disease(CD). METHODS:Sixty-two patients with perianal CD who required surgical treatment with or without infliximab between September 2000 and April 2010 were identified from our clinic’s database.The activities of the perianal lesions were evaluated using the modified perianal CD activity index(mPDAI)score.The primary endpoint was a clinical response at 12-15 wk after surgery as a shortterm efficacy.Secondary endpoints were recurrence as reflected in the mPDAI score,defined as increased points in every major element.The clinical responses were classified as completely healed(mPDAI=0),partially improved(mPDAI score decreased more than 4 points),and failure or recurrence(mPDAI score increased or decreased less than 3 points). RESULTS:There were 43 males and 19 females,of whom 26 were consecutively treated with infliximab after surgery as maintenance therapy.Complete healing was not seen.Failure was seen in 10/36(27.8%) patients without infliximab and 4/26(15.4%)patients with infliximab(P=0.25).Partial improvement was seen in 26/36(72.2%)patients without infliximab and 22/26(88.5%)patients with infliximab(P=0.25). Short-term improvement was achieved in 48/62(77.4%) patients.Although the mPDAI score improved significantly with surgery regardless of infliximab,it decreased more from baseline in patients with infliximab(50.0%) than in those without infliximab(28.6%),(P=0.003). In the long-term,recurrence rates were low regardless of infliximab in patients without anorectal stricture.In patients with anorectal stricture,cumulative recurrence incidences increased gradually and exceeded 40%at 5 years regardless of infliximab.No efficacy of infliximab treatment was found(P=0.97).Although the cumulative rate of ostomy creation was also low in patients without stricture and high in patients with stricture,no protective efficacy was found with infliximab treatment(P =0.6 without stricture,P=0.22 with stricture). CONCLUSION:Infliximab treatment was demonstrated to have short-term efficacy for perianal lesions.Longterm benefit with infliximab was not proven,at least in patients with anorectal stricture.