title: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient with sickle cell disease: a successful treatment.
abstract: Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is the most common inherited blood disorder and is associated with severe morbidity and decreased survival. Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative approach. Nevertheless the decision to perform a bone marrow transplant includes the risk of major complications and transplant-related mortality. Infections represent the leading cause of death in SCA patients undergoing HSCT. Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) is a devastating opportunistic infection and remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in HSCT recipients. Data regarding IPA in the setting of SCA are lacking. In the present report, we describe a patient with SCA, who developed IPA after allogeneic bone marrow transplant. The fungal infection was treated by systemic antifungal therapy in addition to surgery, despite mild chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) and continuing immunosuppressive therapy. This case shows that IPA occurring in bone marrow recipients with SCA can be successfully treated.
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paciaroni
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gioia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Angelis
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallucci
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alfieri
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ribersani
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roveda
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isgrò
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marziali
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivan Pietro
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Aloi
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inserra
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Javid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gaziev
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sodani
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Transplantation in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, Mediterranean Institute of Haematology, Policlinic of "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucarelli