title: Infectious complications following allogeneic stem cell transplantation: reduced-intensity vs. myeloablative conditioning regimens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) is known for producing less regimen-related toxicity. However, whether or not RIC reduces the risk for infection and infection-related mortality (IRM) remains controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed infectious episodes and IRMs after allo-SCTs by time period and by the intensity of the conditioning regimen (RIC [n = 81] vs. myeloablative conditioning, MAC [n = 150]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cumulative incidence of any kind of infection was lower in the RIC group through the entire period (72% vs. 87%; P = 0.007). The onset of infections was deferred in the RIC group as compared with the MAC group (P = 0.012). Bacteremia occurred less frequently in the RIC group through the entire period (5% vs. 14%; P = 0.044). However, the incidences of cytomegalovirus reactivation and disease, herpes zoster, virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis, and invasive fungal infection were not different between the two groups. Furthermore, there was no difference in relapse-free survival and IRM between the two conditioning regimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Careful monitoring and appropriate preventive/therapeutic strategies for infectious complications, comparable to those for allo-SCT recipients with MAC, should also be applied to those with RIC, especially after engraftment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: D-G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S-M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: K-S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Y-J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C-K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: D-W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: J-W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W-S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Min
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019653:Myeloablative Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D019653:Myeloablative Agonists