Relationship between IgG titers and opsonocytophagocytic activity of anti-pneumococcal antibodies after immunization with the 7-valent conjugate vaccine in allogeneic stem cell transplant.

The European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation has recently run a prospective, randomized trial comparing an early (3 months) vs a late (9 months) immunization program after allo-SCT with three doses of the conjugate 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine. This trial has shown that the response rate assessed 1 month after the third dose of conjugate vaccine was not inferior after an early vaccination vs a late vaccination. Part of the responder cohort of these patients (n=28) were chosen to assess the functionality of the anti-pneumococcal antibodies through an opsonophagocytic assay, 1 month after the third dose of conjugate vaccine.

Randomized study of early versus late immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease is a life-threatening complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and at least 20% of cases occur within 1 year after transplantation. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) has limited efficacy, especially during the first year after transplantation. The immune response to the conjugated vaccines is expected to be better than that to the polysaccharide vaccine, but the optimal timing of vaccination is not defined.

Empirical versus preemptive antifungal therapy for high-risk, febrile, neutropenic patients: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Empirical antifungal therapy is the standard of care for neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies who remain febrile despite broad-spectrum antibacterial treatment. Recent diagnostic improvements may ensure the early diagnosis of potentially invasive fungal disease. Reserving antifungals for this stage may achieve similar survival rates and reduce treatment toxicity and costs.