Does PTCY increase the risk of infections?
Malgorzata Mikulska1, Claudia Bartalucci1, Anna Maria Raiola2
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
Abstract:
PTCY has been mainly used in haploidentical transplant (haploHSCT), but its use in matched donors allowed better evaluation of infectious risk conferred separately by PTCY or donor type. PTCY increased the risk of bacterial infections, both in haploidentical and matched donors, mainly pre-engraftment bacteremias. Bacterial infections, particularly due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negatives, were main causes of infection-related deaths. Higher rates of CMV and other viral infections were reported, mainly in haploHSCT. The role of donor might be more important than the role of PTCY. PTCY increased the risk of BK virus associated hemorrhagic cystitis, and seemed associated with higher risk of respiratory viral infections. Fungal infections were frequent in haploHSCT PCTY cohorts without mold active prophylaxis, but the exact role of PTCY needs to be established. Infections appear to be increased in patients receiving PTCY, although the exact role of GvHD prophylaxis and donor type can only be assessed in prospective trials.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...


