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Background and objectives Identification of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a critical step of tuberculosis surveillance, especially in low incidence countries, and is limited to situations with a higher probability of developing active disease, e.g., patients with hematological malignancies. According to guidelines, in TB non-endemic countries no clear screening program is established at diagnosis for patients with acute leukemia (AL). The primary endpoint of this study was to establish the LTBI incidence in patients with diagnosis of AL using QuantiFERON (QFT)-TB. Secondarily, TB-specific prophylaxis efficacy and safety, and features driving increased risk of LTBI were evaluated. Methods QFT-TB screening was performed before induction, consolidation or during follow-up, in all patients with AL (myeloid and lymphoid), treated at our Institution between October 2019 and August 2023. Results We accrued 62 patients, of whom 7 (11,3%) tested positive, without any symptoms or signs of active TB, and 2 (3,2%) resulted as indeterminate. All positive patients started prophylaxis with isoniazid 300 mg/die, while patients whose test was indeterminate did not receive any prophylaxis. Active TB was excluded by imaging, as well as microscopic, cultural, and molecular examination on bronchoalveolar lavage. During the 46-month period of observation, none of the patients developed TB reactivation. Conclusions In our country, LTBI is not uncommon as expected. Despite the low sample size, 1 out of 10 of our patients had prior TB exposure. This finding suggests implementing TB screening in the pre-treatment setting, particularly in a time when more numerous active treatments are becoming available also for patients ineligible to intensive chemotherapy.

Background: This study showcases an analysis performed using the National Readmission Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2019 to analyze the impact of ownership, location, size, and teaching status of transplant centers on cardiac transplant outcomes. Methods: Demographic variables and hospital characteristics were identified using NRD data and International Classification of Diseases,10th revision codes. Comorbidities were assessed using the Elixhauser comorbidity index. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to assess in-hospital mortality, 30-day and 180-day readmission rates, length of stay, days from admission to procedure, transfer to a rehab center, graft rejection, graft failure, and index admission total cost. Results: Most cardiac transplants occurred in privately owned, large metropolitan areas, large bed size, and teaching centers. No significant difference was seen in in-hospital mortality, graft rejection, or graft failure by hospital ownership, location, size, or teaching status. Patients in private hospitals were more likely to be readmitted at 180 days and less likely to be transferred to rehab center compared to government-owned hospitals. Patients in private, small bed size, and teaching centers were more likely to have shorter length of stay. Additionally, days of admission to procedure were shorter in small bed size and teaching centers. Furthermore, the cost of index-hospital stay was higher in privately owned, large metropolitan areas, large bed size, and teaching centers. Conclusions: While in-hospital mortality was not significantly different, various other outcomes related to cost and efficiency seem to be impacted by hospital characteristics.

(1) Background: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is widely diffused in hematology laboratories to monitor inflammatory statuses, response to therapies (such as antibiotics), and oncologic diseases. However, ESR is not a specific diagnostic marker but needs to be contextualized and compared with clinical and other laboratory findings. This study aimed to investigate the performance of two automated instruments, namely the DIESSE CUBE 30 TOUCH (DIESSE, Siena, Italy) and the Alifax Test 1 (Alifax Srl, Polverara, Italy), in comparison with the gold standard, the Westergren method, in lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative patients. (2) Methods: 97 EDTA samples were selected from the hematology department of Roma Tor Vergata Hospital and analyzed. Statistical analysis was applied. (3) A good correlation between CUBE 30 TOUCH and the gold standard was observed in the overall sample (R2 = 0.90), as well as in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases (R2 = 0.90) and myeloproliferative diseases (R2 = 0.90). The correlation between Test 1 and the gold standard was observed in the overall sample (R2 = 0.68), as well as in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases (R2 = 0.79) and myeloproliferative diseases (R2 = 0.53). (4) Conclusions: The CUBE 30 TOUCH appears to be a more trustworthy tool for evaluating ESR in these pathologies.

Generar un diagnóstico de pancreatitis aguda y establecer el grado de esta, servirán para iniciar un manejo temprano de la enfermedad. Con frecuencia se presentan complicaciones secundarias a una pancreatitis aguda grave. La progresión de la enfermedad puede ser temprana, y el tratamiento impactará en disminuir complicaciones como pseudoquiste y necrosis pancreática. Por ello, a través de los años se han realizado modificaciones en el tratamiento que requiere la pancreatitis, desde la aguda leve hasta la grave, y estos cambios han tenido un impacto en la disminución de la mortalidad.

Background: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at baseline has been demonstrated to correlate with higher stages of disease and to be a prognostic factor in numerous cancers. However, its function as a prognostic factor for mycosis fungoides (MF) has not been yet clarified. Objective: Our work aimed to assess the association of the NLR with different stages of MF and to outline whether higher values of this marker are related to a more aggressive MF. Methods: We retrospectively calculated the NLRs in 302 MF patients at the moment of diagnosis. The NLR was obtained using the complete blood count values. Results: The median NLR among patients with early stage disease (low-grade IA-IB-IIA) was 1.88, while the median NLR for patients with high-grade MF (IIB-IIIA-IIIB) was 2.64. Statistical analysis showed positive associations of advanced MF stages with NLRs higher than 2.3. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that the NLR represents a cheap and easily available parameter functioning as a marker for advanced MF. This might guide physicians in recognizing patients with advanced stages of disease requiring a strict follow-up or an early treatment.

Critically ill patients are often presumed to be in a state of “constant dehydration” or in need of fluid, thereby justifying a continuous infusion with some form of intravenous (IV) fluid, despite their clinical data suggesting otherwise. Overzealous fluid administration and subsequent fluid accumulation and overload are associated with poorer outcomes. Fluids are drugs, and their use should be tailored to meet the patient’s individualized needs; fluids should never be given as routine maintenance unless indicated. Before prescribing any fluids, the physician should consider the patient’s characteristics and the nature of the illness, and assess the risks and benefits of fluid therapy. Decisions regarding fluid therapy present a daily challenge in many hospital departments: emergency rooms, regular wards, operating rooms, and intensive care units. Traditional fluid prescription is full of paradigms and unnecessary routines as well as malpractice in the form of choosing the wrong solutions for maintenance or not meeting daily requirements. Prescribing maintenance fluids for patients on oral intake will lead to fluid creep and fluid overload. Fluid overload, defined as a 10% increase in cumulative fluid balance from baseline weight, is an independent predictor for morbidity and mortality, and thus hospital cost. In the last decade, increasing evidence has emerged supporting a restrictive fluid approach. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a pragmatic description of novel concepts related to the use of IV fluids in critically ill patients, with emphasis on the different indications and common clinical scenarios. We also discuss active deresuscitation, or the timely cessation of fluid administration, with the intention of achieving a zero cumulative fluid balance.

Abstract Occasionally, non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) occur simultaneously or subsequently to Hodgkin disease. We report on a case of a woman with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD, who developed 4 years later T‐cell NHL with both nodal and extranodal involvement. Brentuximab vedotin could be an effective choice in treating metachronous T‐cell NHL.

Introduction Gastric Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common extra-nodal site of lymphoma’s involvement (30%-40% of all extranodal lymphomas and 55%-65% of all gastrointestinal lymphomas). However, gastric localizations are also sometimes found in systemic DLBCL. Gastric complications such as bleeding, perforation and stenosis under chemotherapy are well documented. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL with gastrointestinal involvement. Endoscopies were performed in these patients before and after treatment. Treatment consisted in cyclophosphamide low-dose pre-phase chemotherapy before conventional-dose chemotherapy. Results Endoscopy at staging detected ulcers in 12 patients (80%). After low-dose pre-phase chemotherapy GI ulcers healed in 91.6% of cases (1 ulcer detected). After the whole treatment (Low-dose pre-phase + chemotherapy) 9 patients (60%) achieved complete response, 4 patients (26.6%) partial response, 2 (13,3%) patients presented disease progression. The most frequent adverse event was neutropenia (73.3%); the most frequent non hematological adverse event was transaminases elevation (20%). Conclusion Cyclophosphamide low-dose pre-phase chemotherapy resulted a safe and effective way to prevent adverse events in systemic DLBCL with gastrointestinal involvement.

Background:. Stacking free flaps for breast reconstruction is far from novel, even in the case of a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) plus profunda artery perforator (PAP) configuration, where the latter is always described in the traditional transverse configuration. We present a series of consecutive patients undergoing bilateral breast reconstruction with stacked DIEP and vertical PAP flaps. Methods:. Patients with inadequate abdominal donor tissue were offered the possibility of a stacking breast reconstruction. The DIEP flap was harvested via microfascial incisions, whereas the vertical PAP flap was harvested in the lithotomy position, following the course of the gracilis muscle. Results:. In total, 28 consecutive patients with a mean BMI of 24.9 underwent bilateral breast reconstruction with stacked DIEP and vertical PAP flaps. The internal mammary artery and vein were used as recipient vessels in all 56 stacked flaps. Fifty-three PAP flaps were anastomosed to the distal portion of the (primary) DIEP flaps utilizing a sequential flap anastomosis technique, and one DIEP flap was anastomosed to the distal portion of the (primary) PAP flap. Hospitalization for the initial eight patients averaged 35 hours, whereas the following 20 patients were discharged within 23 hours. There were no postoperative takebacks or vascular complications. Conclusions:. Stacked DIEP/PAP flaps offer an excellent option for patients who require more volume than available from DIEP flaps alone. When compared with transverse PAP flaps, the vertical PAP offers excellent variability of volume and ease of shaping to allow for excellent results, while minimizing donor site tension in the seated position and preserving the gluteal fold.

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a CD-30 positive lymphoproliferative disorder with good prognosis, usually treated with radiation therapy and surgery. Head, neck, and extremities are the most frequently involved sites. In this paper, we describe an unusual case of oral localization, recurring after skin-involving radiotherapy, successfully treated with sixteen cycles of brentuximab vedotin. This could be a more effective approach with a less detrimental toll for treating these rare disorders.