Allo-HSCT recipients with invasive fungal disease and ongoing immunosuppression have a high risk for developing tuberculosis

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 31;9(1):20402. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56013-w.

Abstract

Patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are at high risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) due to a status of immunosuppression. We conducted a nested case control study to investigate the incidence and risk factors for TB after allo-HSCT. Between 2012 and 2017, 730 consecutive allo-HSCT recipients were enrolled, and 14 patients (1.92%) were diagnosed with TB. Relatively, 54 allo-HSCT recipients were selected as control. Patients who suffered TB had a significantly higher 3-year non-relapse mortality rate than the control group (30.36% vs 5.39%, P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, invasive fungal disease (HR 4.87, 95% CI 1.39-17.09), treatment with a relatively high dose of prednisone (HR 10.34, 95% CI 1.12-95.47) and treatment with tacrolimus (HR 4.79, 95% CI 1.18-19.44) were identified independent risk factors for TB occurrence post allo-HSCT (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, donor type, dose and type of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) administrated, as well as treatment intensity, did not alter the incidence of TB. Therefore, allo-HSCT recipients with unexplained fever, especially those who suffer from invasive fungal disease and ongoing immunosuppression with a relatively high dose of prednisone or tacrolimus, are at a high-risk of developing active TB. Closely Monitoring TB occurrence, making a timely diagnosis and administering the proper treatment may be beneficial to those high-risk patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Incidence
  • Invasive Fungal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Risk
  • Transplant Recipients*
  • Tuberculosis / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Prednisone
  • Methotrexate