Bloodstream infection by highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), is a growing clinical problem that increasingly defies medical intervention. Identifying patients at high risk for bacterial sepsis remains an important clinical challenge. Recent studies have shown that antibiotics can alter microbial diversity in the intestine. Here, we characterized these effects using 16s rDNA pyrosequencing and demonstrated that antibiotic treatment of mice enabled exogenously administered VRE to efficiently and nearly completely displace the normal microbiota of the small and large intestine. In the clinical setting, we found that intestinal domination by VRE preceded bloodstream infection in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Our results demonstrate that antibiotics perturb the normal commensal microbiota and set the stage for intestinal domination by bacteria associated with hospital-acquired infections. Thus, high-throughput DNA sequencing of the intestinal microbiota could identify patients at high risk of developing bacterial sepsis.

The extant literature documents burden among caregivers of patients undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), but little is known about the burden of caregivers of patients receiving outpatient and homebound HSCTs. This scoping study sought to evaluate what is known about the burden of the increasing number of adult caregivers of patients receiving outpatient HSCTs and to create practice guidelines for how to best support this vulnerable group. Online databases were searched for studies that evaluated caregiver burden in adult caregivers of HSCT patients since 2010 (the publication date of the most recent systematic review on HSCT caregiver burden). Of the 1,271 articles retrieved, 12 met inclusion criteria, though none specifically examined outpatient or homebound caregivers. Overall, studies corroborated existing literature on the experience of significant burden among HSCT caregivers across the HSCT trajectory, and highlighted the emotional costs of outpatient transplants on caregivers and the need to identify caregivers at high risk for burden early in the transplant process. Future studies of outpatient caregivers should include a comprehensive assessment of burden and seek to identify points along the transplant trajectory at which caregivers are at particular risk for negative outcomes and when intervention is most appropriate.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at significant risk for BKV reactivation, hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) and renal dysfunction. We prospectively monitored 98 HSCT by serial BKV PCR in the urine through Day (D) +100 to analyze the relationship between BKV viruria and HC, serum creatinine (Cr) and creatinine clearance (CrCl) through D +180 or death. Patients, median age 52 years, range 20-73, received T-cell depleted (50%) or cord blood allografts (21%). Median pre-HSCT BKV IgG titers were 1:10,240. Incremental increase in BKV IgG titers correlated with developing BKV viruria ≥ 107 copies/mL. By D +100, 53 (54%) patients had BKV viruria. BKV viral load in the urine increased at engraftment and persisted throughout D +100. HC developed in 10 patients (10%); 7/10 with BKV viruria. In competing risk analyses, BKV viruria ≥ 107 copies/mL, older age, CMV reactivation and foscarnet use were risk factors for HC. Cr and CrCl at 2, 3 and 6 months post-HSCT were similar between patients with and without BKV viruria.

BackgroundDespite numerous reports of significant distress and burden for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients and caregivers (CGs), HSCT-specific coping interventions remain rare. The few in use lack specificity and are often not easily accessible or cost-effective. Whereas the development of new interventions is resource-intensive, theory-informed adaptation of existing evidence-based interventions is promising. To date, no HSCT-specific intervention has relied on a formal adaptation approach.MethodsUsing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Map of Adaptation, this two-phase qualitative descriptive study seeks to understand the perceptions of HSCT patients, CGs, individually, and in dyads, and clinicians about Coping Together (CT) for the preliminary adaptation (Phase 1), and then explores perceptions of the modified intervention in additional mixed sample (Phase 2). Six to ten participants including outpatients, CGs and dyads and five to seven HSCT clinician participants will be recruited for Phase 1. For Phase 2, 14 to 16 participants including outpatients, CGs and dyads will be recruited. Individual and dyadic semi-structured interviews will take place between 100 and 130 days post-HSCT. Verbatim transcripts will be analyzed using content analysis.DiscussionIt is paramount to have HSCT-specific supportive interventions that address patients’ and CGs’ multidimensional and complex needs. The timely involvement of key stakeholders throughout the adaptation process is likely to optimize the relevance and uptake of such tailored intervention.Trial registrationThis study is registered on October 6, 2016 in ClinicalTrials.gov at (identifier number NCT02928185).

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