ABSTRACT Introduction and hypothesis: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the absence of a compatible donor. The UCB transplantation has a lower incidence of chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD), but is associated with slower engraftment and slower immune reconstitution, compared to other sources. Dendritic cells (DCs) and Natural Killer cells (NKs) play a central role in the development of GvHD and the graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect, as well as in the control of infectious complications. Method: We quantified by multiparametric flow cytometry monocytes, lymphocytes, NK cells, and DCs, including their subsets, in UCB samples from 54 healthy newborns and peripheral blood (PB) from 25 healthy adult volunteers. Results: In the UCB samples, there were higher counts of NK cells 56bright16– (median 0.024 × 109/L), compared to the PB samples (0.012 × 109/L, p < 0.0001), NK 56dim16bright (median 0.446 × 109/L vs. 0.259 × 109/L for PB samples, p = 0.001) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs, median 0.008 × 109/L for UCB samples vs. 0.006 × 109/L for PB samples, p = 0.03). Moreover, non-classic monocyte counts were lower in UCB than in PB (median 0.024 × 109/L vs. 0.051 × 109/L, respectively, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In conclusion, there were higher counts of NK cells and pDCs and lower counts of non-classic monocytes in UCB than in PB from healthy individuals. These findings might explain the lower incidence and severity of chronic GvHD, although maintaining the GvL effect, in UCB transplant recipients, compared to other stem cell sources.

ABSTRACT Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by clonal proliferation and progressive accumulation of B-cell lymphocytes that typically express CD19+, CD5+ and CD23+. The lymphocytes usually infiltrate the bone marrow, peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and spleen. The diagnosis is established by immunophenotyping circulating B-lymphocytes, and prognosis is defined by two staging systems (Rai and Binet) established by physical examination and blood counts, as well as by several biological and genetic markers. In this update, we present the recommendations from the Brazilian Group of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The following recommendations are based on an extensive literature review with the aim of contributing to more uniform patient care in Brazil and possibly in other countries with a similar social-economic profile.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) may cause severe complications after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Monitoring this virus and providing precise, rapid and early diagnosis of related clinical diseases, constitute essential measures to improve outcomes. A prospective survey on the incidence and clinical features of HHV-6 infections after HSCT has not yet been conducted in Brazilian patients and the impact of this infection on HSCT outcome remains unclear. A rapid test based on real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has been optimised to screen and quantify clinical samples for HHV-6. The detection step was based on reaction with TaqMan® hydrolysis probes. A set of previously described primers and probes have been tested to evaluate efficiency, sensitivity and reproducibility. The target efficiency range was 91.4% with linearity ranging from 10-106 copies/reaction and a limit of detection of five copies/reaction or 250 copies/mL of plasma. The qPCR assay developed in the present study was simple, rapid and sensitive, allowing the detection of a wide range of HHV-6 loads. In conclusion, this test may be useful as a practical tool to help elucidate the clinical relevance of HHV-6 infection and reactivation in different scenarios and to determine the need for surveillance.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o resultado do implante de filtro em veia cava inferior empregando angiografia digital por subtração com dioxide de carbono (CO2) como meio de contraste. MÉTODOS: No período de abril de 2010 a fevereiro de 2011, sete pacientes foram submetidos ao implante de filtro na veia cava inferior, utilizando-se CO2 como meio de contraste em subtração digital. Os pacientes apresentaram como critério de inclusão trombose venosa profunda no setor ilíaco-femoral e contraindicação à anticoagulação. RESULTADOS: Foi obtido sucesso técnico em todos os casos, com adequada visualização da veia cava e veias renais, não havendo complicações relacionadas ao uso do CO2 ou ao procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: O implante de filtro de veia cava utilizando o CO2 como meio de contraste é segura e efetiva em pacientes portadores de alergia ao contraste iodado ou com insuficiência renal não dialítica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of digital subtraction with carbon dioxide (CO2 ) for vena cava filter implant. METHODS: From April (2)010 to February (2)011, seven patients underwent inferior vena cava filter placement with digital subtraction angiography with the use of CO2 as contrast media. All patients had iliac and femoral deep venous thrombosis and contraindications for anticoagulation. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all cases. Inferior vena cava e renal veins were identified in all cases. There were no evidences of complications related to the use of CO2 during or after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The placement of inferior vena cava filter with CO2 and digital subtraction angiography is safe and effective with good results in patients with renal insufficiency and allergy to iodine.