title: Infections in pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia: from the Canadian infections in acute myeloid leukemia research group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is not known whether children with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have an infection risk similar to non- APL acute myeloid leukemia. The objective was to describe infectious risk in children with newly diagnosed APL and to describe factors associated with these infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study that included children ≤ 18 years of age with de novo APL treated at 15 Canadian centers. Thirty-three children with APL were included; 78.8% were treated with APL -specific protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bacterial sterile site infection occurred in 12 (36.4%) and fungal sterile site infection occurred in 2 (6.1%) children. Of the 127 chemotherapy courses, 101 (79.5%) were classified as intensive and among these, the proportion in which a sterile site microbiologically documented infection occurred was 14/101 (13.9%). There was one infection-related death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One third of children with APL experienced at least one sterile site bacterial infection throughout treatment and 14% of intensive chemotherapy courses were associated with a microbiologically documented sterile site infection. Infection rates in pediatric APL may be lower compared to non- APL acute myeloid leukemia although these children may still benefit from aggressive supportive care during intensive chemotherapy.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cellot
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dix
authors.forename: Marie-Chantal
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ethier
authors.forename: Biljana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gillmeister
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Rochelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yanofsky
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Portwine
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Shayna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zelcer
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bowes
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Michon
authors.forename: Kent
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stobart
authors.forename: Josee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brossard
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beyene
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies