Background
ADV (adenovirus) is an important cause of viral mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). T-cell depleted (TCD) HSCT are at increased risk of viral infections. We compared the rates and outcomes of ADV viremia and disease between TCD and conventional (CONV) HSCT at our institution.
Methods
This was an observational study of 624 adult and pediatric recipients of myeloablative HSCT at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from January 1, 2006, through March 11, 2011. Viral cultures and ADV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were ordered as clinically indicated. ADV viremia by a quantitative PCR assay was defined as ≥1 positive value ≥1,000 copies/mL or ≥2 consecutive values at any value. Competing risk regression analyses were used to identify predictors for ADV viremia.
Results
Eight percent TCD and 4.0% CONV were noted to have ADV viremia at 1 year after HSCT (P=.041). Among TCD, 15% of children compared with 5% of adults developed ADV viremia (P=.008). Young age (Hazard Ratio [HR] 3.0; P<.001) and acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) (HR 3.2; P=.001) were risk factors for ADV viremia. ADV viremia was a predictor of mortality (HR 6.0; P<.001). ADV disease developed in 3.5% TCD and 0.4% CONV HSCT (P=.022) with attributable mortality of 27%. Among TCD, grade 2–4 GVHD was a risk factor for ADV disease (HR 13; P<.001); age was not significant. More than 90% ADV disease cases had a viral load of ≥ 10,000 copies/mL.
Conclusions
Rates of ADV disease were 10-fold higher in TCD compared with CONV HSCT, predominantly in patients who developed acute GVHD. The benefit of preemptive therapy for ADV viral load ≥ 10,000 copies/mL for prevention of ADV disease in recipients of TCD grafts should be evaluated in prospective clinical trials.