No consensus exists on whether acyclovir prophylaxis should be given for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) prophylaxis after hematopoietic cell transplantation because of the concern of "rebound" VZV disease after discontinuation of prophylaxis. To determine whether rebound VZV disease is an important clinical problem and whether prolonging prophylaxis beyond 1 year is beneficial, we examined 3 sequential cohorts receiving acyclovir from day of transplantation until engraftment for prevention of herpes simplex virus reactivation (n ‫؍‬ 932); acyclovir or valacyclovir 1 year (n ‫؍‬ 1117); or acyclovir/valacyclovir for at least 1 year or longer if patients remained on immunosuppressive drugs (n ‫؍‬ 586). In multivariable statistical models, prophylaxis given for 1 year significantly reduced VZV disease (P < .001) without evidence of rebound VZV disease. Continuation of prophylaxis beyond 1 year in allogeneic recipients who remained on immunosuppressive drugs led to a further reduction in VZV disease (P ‫؍‬ .01) but VZV disease developed in 6.1% during the second year while receiving this strategy. In conclusion, acyclovir/valacyclovir prophylaxis given for 1 year led to a persistent benefit after drug discontinuation and no evidence of a rebound effect. To effectively prevent VZV disease in long-term hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors, additional approaches such as vaccination will probably be required. (Blood. 2007; 110:3071-3077)

Purpose Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) therapies are associated with severe mycobacterial infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients. We developed and validated electronic record search algorithms for these serious infections. Methods The study used electronic clinical, microbiologic, and pharmacy records from Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (PVAMC). We identified suspect tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cases using inpatient and outpatient diagnostic codes, culture results, and anti-tuberculous medication dispensings. We manually reviewed records to validate our case-finding algorithms. Results We identified 64 tuberculosis and 367 NTM potential cases respectively. For tuberculosis, diagnostic code positive predictive value (PPV) was 54% at KPNC and 9% at PVAMC. Adding medication dispensings improved these to 87% and 46% respectively. Positive tuberculosis cultures had a PPV of 100% with sensitivities of 79% (KPNC) and 55% (PVAMC). For NTM, the PPV of diagnostic codes was 91% (KPNC) and 76% (PVAMC). At KPNC, ≥1 positive NTM culture was sensitive (100%) and specific (PPV, 74%) if non-pathogenic species were excluded; at PVAMC, ≥1 positive NTM culture identified 76% of cases with PPV of 41%. Application of the American Thoracic Society NTM microbiology criteria yielded the highest PPV (100% KPNC, 78% PVAMC). Conclusions The sensitivity and predictive value of electronic microbiologic data for tuberculosis and NTM infections is generally high, but varies with different facilities or models of care. Unlike NTM, tuberculosis diagnostic codes have poor PPV, and in the absence of laboratory data, should be combined with anti-tuberculous therapy dispensings for pharmacoepidemiologic research.

Oseltamivir prophylaxis appeared to be safe and well tolerated in managing an influenza outbreak in an HSCT outpatient residence.

Objective/Purpose Optic neuritis (ON) cases have been reported in patients using anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha therapy. However, no population-based studies have been conducted to assess the risk of this complication associated with anti-TNF drugs. Design Cohort study Participants New users of anti-TNF therapy (etanercept, infliximab, or adalimumab) or non-biologic disease modifying agents (DMARDs) during 2000–2007 from the following data sources: Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly, Tennessee Medicaid, and National Medicaid/Medicare. Methods We used validated algorithms to identify ON cases occurring after onset of new drug exposure. We calculated and compared ON rates between exposure groups. Main outcome measures ON incidence rates by medication exposure group Results We identified 61,227 eligible inflammatory disease patients with either new anti-TNF or new non-biologic DMARD use. Among this cohort, we found three ON cases among anti-TNF new users, occuring a median 123 days (range, 37–221 days) after anti- TNF start. The crude incidence rate of ON across all disease indications among anti-TNF new users was 10.4 (95% CI 3.3–32.2) cases per 100,000 person-years. In a sensitivity analysis considering current or past anti-TNF or DMARD use, we identified a total of 6 ON cases; 3 among anti-TNF users and 3 among DMARD users. Crude ON rates were similar among anti-TNF and DMARD groups, 4.5 (95% CI 1.4–13.8) and 5.4 (95% CI 1.7–16.6) per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Conclusion Optic neuritis is rare among those who initiate anti-TNF therapy and occurs with similar frequency among those with non-biologic DMARD exposure.