Background: Approximately 5000 snake bites are reported in the United States (US) annually with half of these patients being admitted. Crotalinae species are the most numerous; coral and imported exotic snakes cause a smaller number. Snake venoms are highly stable chemically complex mixtures of proteins. Quantity and composition vary with species and geographic location. Although enzymes contribute to the deleterious effects of the venom, the lethal components may be the smaller low molecular-weight polypeptides. Crotalinae envenomation is known to contain thrombin-like glycoproteins that can induce coagulopathy ranging from asymptomatic lab abnormality to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and life-threatening hemorrhage. In certain geographical areas of the United States thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia and coagulopathy are common hematological abnormalities, and ones that dictate both a reason for treatment with antivenom as well as an important monitor of therapeutic efficacy. Data on hematological abnormalities following envenomation by crotaline species in Northeast Florida/Southwest Georgia has not been reported before. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of envenomations that presented to the University of Florida at Jacksonville from April 2013 to October 2018. Patients had to be 16 years or older without any pre-existing hematologic disorder or use of anticoagulant medications. Data including Complete Blood Count, Prothrombin Time (PT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and Fibrinogen were measured on presentation, and 4 hours after. Crotaline Fab antivenom (CroFab®) administration was noted if done. Adverse events associated with antivenom therapy, recurrence phenomena, delayed onset of symptoms, and performance of fasciotomy were also recorded. Results: Overall, 119 snakebites were evaluated. The majority were identified as Crotalinae - 25 water moccasin, copperhead or cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus, Agkistrodon contortrix) bites and 34 rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius, Crotalus adamanteus) bites. Male sex dominated the sample with most patients middle-aged (Table 1). More than 80% of patients arrived within 6 hours following the bite. Over 60% of patients received crotaline Fab antivenom. Results are presented in Table 2. Around 12% of patients with water moccasin, copperhead or cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus, Agkistrodon contortrix) bites had coagulopathy on admission. This compares similarly to data from South Carolina previously showing a 10.89% rate following copperhead bites (Qureshi et al. Blood 2010;116(21):4753). The rate of coagulopathy with rattlesnake bites was however much higher in North Florida at 20.6% - compared to 5.26% in the South Carolina series. Rates of DIC or severe hemorrhage were 8% for water moccasin, copperhead or cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus, Agkistrodon contortrix) bites and 5.9% for rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius, Crotalus adamanteus) bites. When hemostatic defects were looked at separately, the most common abnormality induced was PT/aPTT derangement, followed by hypofibrinogenemia and then thrombocytopenia. This pattern was the same as reported in South Carolina. Recurrence phenomena was observed after 4 hours in a number of patients, however the significance of this remains uncertain as most of these patients remained clinically stable without worsening symptoms. Anaphylactic reaction to the antivenom developed in one patient. Conclusions: In this sample from North Florida, deranged PT/aPTT was the most common hematologic abnormality following envenomation, followed by hypofibrinogenemia and a low rate of thrombocytopenia. Similarities with data from South Carolina were noted, although rattlesnake bites had 4 times higher incidence of coagulopathy in North Florida. DIC or severe hemorrhage was a notable toxicity, affecting 6-8% of Crotalinae cases. Hematologic effects of envenomation do seem to vary by geographic areas in the United States and physicians would benefit from local data to better manage these patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Utility of Procalcitonin in the Early Diagnosis of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Presenting with Fever
Background: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of developing bacterial infections as a result of functional asplenia. Fever, a common symptom in SCD often occurs with other sickle cell related conditions and viral infections. This poses a diagnostic challenge and early use of empiric antibiotics is recommended while awaiting cultures. The widespread administration of antibiotics to all patients with SCD with fever can result in problems such as antibiotic resistance and increased medical costs. An early and reliable biomarker is therefore needed to help distinguish between bacterial and non-bacterial causes for fever in SCD. Procalcitonin (PCT) has been shown to be elevated in bacterial but not viral infections. In SCD, few studies have looked at the role of PCT in predicting bacterial infections. Unal et al reported vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) with or without fever did not increase PCT levels in relation to patients with no crisis and no fever. However, Rincón-López et al reported a PCT < 0.6ng/mL had a negative predictive value of 97.2% and potentially could be used to identify bacterial infection early. Methods: We retrospectively studied 122 patients with SCD who presented to the emergency department with fever from 2015-2019. Inclusion criteria were defined as patients with SCD, 17 years and older and PCT measurement on presentation to the emergency department. Exclusion criteria were defined as patients with SCD and fever who had received empiric antibiotics prior to labs being drawn in the emergency department. The cohort was divided into groups of patients with Confirmed Bacterial Infection (CBI, n=18), Suspected Bacterial Infection (SBI, n=6), Viral Infections (n=10) and Vaso-Occlusive Crises (VOC, n=88) only. CBI was defined as a positive bacterial culture (blood, body fluid, urine, respiratory or cerebrospinal fluid) or C.difficile toxin assay. Viral infections were defined as a negative bacterial culture in the presence of a virus found on PCR obtained with nasopharyngeal swab. Characteristics including genotype, age, gender, complete blood count, PCT, creatinine, total bilirubin, hydroxyurea use and length of stay were examined. Data was analyzed between the groups using descriptive statistics and accounting for unequal variances, with p-value set at 0.05 for significance. Results: Demographics and clinical characteristics are summarized in Table 1 (Figure). The mean age was 34.6 years with predominantly males (64.8%). Almost two-thirds were on hydroxyurea (62.3%). The most common genotype was HbSS (70.5%) followed by HbSC (26.2%) and HbSβ (3.3%). The mean PCT for patients with CBI was 8.99 ng/mL (range, 0.03-78.36) as compared to 0.31 ng/mL (range, 0.02-6.82) in the VOC group. The most common organisms detected were E.coli, C.difficile, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Enterobacter. There was a significant difference between median PCT for patients with CBI and those with VOC (p=0.036) and between patients with CBI and viral infections (p= 0.045). Using a PCT of >0.5ng/mL resulted in 81% Sensitivity and 85% Specificity for CBI. Conclusion: In patients with SCD presenting with fever, PCT on presentation was significantly higher in those with CBI compared to VOC only or Viral Infection. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Patients with high-grade alectinib-induced skin rash: How do we desensitize these patients? A case report and review of literature
With the advent of targeted therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer, there are many new available treatment options for patients whose cancer harbors an actionable mutation or alteration. These new medications come with numerous side effects, for some of which, the management is not well defined. Alectinib is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for stage-IV lung adenocarcinoma with anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene rearrangement. Severe (⩾Grade 3) skin rash is a rare side effect of alectinib. Reintroducing alectinib in patients with severe skin rash is not well defined in the medical literature. While other case reports have outlined their approach and desensitization protocol, the maximum dose that patients were titrated up to in a desensitization protocol was 300 mg twice daily. Here, we report a case of Grade 3 skin rash secondary to alectinib, and our experience in managing the rash and reintroducing alectinib with a unique desensitization protocol to a max of 600 mg twice daily (full dose). This case could provide further guidance to oncologists managing patients with this adverse event and may aid in reducing concerns to both patients and physicians about recurrence of skin rash at the maximum dose.
Successful treatment of IgG4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis with induction rituximab and dexamethasone followed by maintenance rituximab
IgG4-related disease (IgG4RD) with intracranial involvement is rare. We report a 56-year-old male who had an excellent response to rituximab and dexamethasone after going undiagnosed for 5 years. After 3 years of rituximab maintenance, he has no evidence of disease on brain MRI.
Systemic ALK‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with bilateral optic neurolymphomatosis resulting in permanent blindness
AbstractALK‐positive ALCL can lead to rapid irreversible destruction of the optic pathway. Early treatment should be instituted in patients with CNS involvement or those at increased CNS risk.
Systemic ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with bilateral optic neurolymphomatosis resulting in permanent blindness
A 26-year-old female developed bilateral blindness after a complete remission for ALK-positive ALCL. Initial workup showed neurolymphomatosis involving the bilateral optic nerves. She underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation and she remained in complete remission after 1 year; however her vision never improved. ALCL likely led to destruction of the optic pathway.
Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg-type: The Mayo Clinic experience.
e20044 Background: Primary Cutaneous Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Leg-type (PCDLBCL) is a rare lymphoma comprising 4% of all cutaneous lymphomas with an aggressive clinical course. We investigated disease characteristics and outcomes among patients PCDLBCL. Methods: Following IRB approval, we identified patients retrospectively with PCDLBCL treated at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center 1998-2019. Results: 45 pts were identified with a median age of 71 years (Range- 48-95) and 28 (62%) were female. Disease locations were legs (62%), arms (22%), head (11%), trunk (2%) and multiple sites (2%). At diagnosis, (51%) had a single lesion, (29%) had multiple lesions in 1-2 contiguous regions, (16%) had multiple lesions in non-contiguous regions or > 2 regions and data was not available (4%). Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for BCL-2 (92%), BCL-6 (76%), c-MYC (62%), MUM1 (95%), CD10 (11%), and cytoplasmic IgM (8/9- 89%). By Han’s criteria, (95%) had activated B cell lymphoma (ABC). Median Ki-67 was 90% (range, 50,100%). 9/12 (75%) were positive for MYD88 L265P mutation. 13/21 (62%) were double expressor and 3/22 (14%) had double hit lymphoma. 37/45 (82%) had ECOG < 2. LDH was elevated in 13/37 (35%). The median number of therapies was 1 (range; 1-11). The initial treatments were chemo-radiation (30%), chemo alone (38%), rituximab alone (11%), radiation (RT) alone (16%), rituximab-RT (2.5%), and surgical (2.5%). The median follow-up time for the whole cohort was 80 months (95% CI; 32, 169). The median progression free survival and overall survival (OS) were 20 months (95% CI; 12, 34) and 80 months (95% CI; 48, 119). 22/45 (49%) are alive. The cause of death was disease-related in 11/23 (48%). The median number of relapses was 1 (range; 0, 11) with (60%) relapsed after first line. 4/45 pts had autologous stem cell transplant after relapse. 7/45 (16%) had a systemic relapse at a median time of 35 months from diagnosis (range; 16, 112). Age above 60 years was associated with worse OS; 70 months (95% CI; 30, 99) vs NR (95% CI; 135, NR), p = 0.025. ECOG performance status < 2 was associated with better OS, NR months (95% CI; 80, NR) vs 48 months (95% CI; 3.3, 88),p = 0.0003. 1 pt received Ibrutinib on 11th relapse and had 3 years of PFS. Conclusions: PCDLBCL is predominantly ABC type, affects elderly pts and is characterized by multiple cutaneous relapses followed in some cases by systemic relapses. Increased age and poor performance status had a negative impact on OS. High incidence of MYD88 L265P mutation is observed in PCDLBCL similar to immune-privileged site lymphomas.
Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: The Mayo Clinic experience.
e20036 Background: Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HSTL) is a rare subtype of mature T cell lymphomas accounting for less than 1 percent of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. it has been associated with poor prognosis. It typically involves sinusoids in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Methods: Following IRB approval, we retrospectively evaluated patients with HSTL treated at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center 1996-2019. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariate analysis to identify prognostic factors were performed. We investigated clinical characteristics and outcomes among patients with HSTL. Results: 22 patients (15 males) with median age of 45.5 years (range- 15.5-80.6) were identified. The majority of patients had B symptoms (12/22), cyotpenias (20/22), massive splenomegaly (16/22), liver involvement (13/22), and/or bone marrow involvement (14/22). Additionally, 42% tested positive for peripheral blood involvement and 8/22 (36%) were on chronic immunosuppression related to solid organ transplant (2), inflammatory bowel disease (2), and rheumatologic disorders (4). Phenotypically, the majority of patients were positive for gamma/delta (18/22), isochromosome 7q (8/13), and 4/9 (44%) tested positive for trisomy 8. Initial therapies included CHOP/CHOEP (14), ICE (2), EPOCH (1), pentostatin (1), and radiation (1). The median follow-up was 33 months (range 2,137). Progression free survival and overall survival (OS) were 9.5 months (95% CI; 1.8, 16.3) and 12 months (95% CI; 4.9, 18.5) respectively. 10/22 (45%) underwent splenectomy with one patient receiving splenectomy alone as treatment. 8/22 (36%) had stem cell transplant (SCT- 5 allogeneic and 3 autologous). Out of the 22 patients 4 (18%) were long-term survivors with 55, 74, 95, and 137 months; 3/4 had splenectomy at diagnosis and 2/4 had allogeneic SCT. The longest survivor had splenectomy only. Liver involvement was associated with worse OS; 10 months (95% CI; 1.6, 18) vs 35 months (95% CI; 4, NR), p = 0.036. Immune suppression at diagnosis was associated with worse OS; 5 months (95% CI; 1.3, 18) vs 18 months (95% CI; 9, 74), p = 0.036. A trend for better OS was seen with splenectomy and SCT. Conclusions: HSTL is a rare lymphoma with poor prognosis. Long-term survival was seen in 18% only. Liver involvement and immune suppression had a negative impact on OS. A larger cohort is needed to better evaluate the impact of different treatment options.
Factors affecting time to treatment in hepatocellular cancer.
e19088 Background: Significant disparities in the stage at diagnosis and survival outcomes exist between various groups diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on sex, race, insurance coverage, and marital status. Previously published data shows disparities more in patients who are African-American, Asian and low income. Little data has been published on factors that influence timeliness to treatment initiation in patients diagnosed with HCC. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 96,586 patients diagnosed with HCC from 2004-2014 using data in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Time to treatment was divided into two categories: ≤40 days (early, n = 66322) and > 40 days (late, n = 30264). We carried out univariate and multivariate analyses to compare demographic, clinical, treatment, and facility-related factors influencing the timeliness of treatment initiation in HCC. Results: Univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in time to treatment initiation based on age, race, income, insurance status, type of area, geographic region, type of facility, and cancer stage (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that household income < $30,000/year, Pacific region, urban area of residence, black race, age 70-79 years old or ≥80 years old, academic centers, stage II disease and medicaid insurance were all factors with longer time to treatment initiation. Discussion: HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The 5-year relative survival for localized, regional, and distant stages are 32.6%, 10.8% and 2.4% respectively. In our results we noted significant disparities in time to treatment with respect to various socioeconomic factors. These results are comparable to that reported in other cancer types. Further subgroup analysis of our data shows 2581 patients who received their first treatment after 200 days. In a similar study done in Taiwan, those treated more than 181 days and 61–180 days after diagnosis had a 1.68 and a 1.39 increased risk of death respectively, which were statistically significant. Many factors contribute to delayed treatment, some of which are difficult to circumvent, however where possible efforts should be made to overcome these. Conclusions: Various socioeconomic factors were found to affect the time to treatment initiation in HCC patients. The next step would be to strategically implement policies and practices to address these factors.