zithromax and Precursor-Cell-Lymphoblastic-Leukemia-Lymphoma

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Carrier State; Child, Preschool; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Levofloxacin; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; RNA, Ribosomal, 23S

Children who undergo treatment for malignancies are at high for infection with both typical and opportunistic pathogens. Fever in these children prompts extensive evaluation and empiric treatment with broad-spectrum antimicrobials. In the United States (US), tuberculosis is an infrequently reported cause of fever in the pediatric cancer patient and has not been well described. In this report we describe a case of primary pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in a boy with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and review the pertinent literature.

Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antitubercular Agents; Azithromycin; Child, Preschool; Combined Modality Therapy; Contact Tracing; Cyclophosphamide; Cytarabine; Dexamethasone; Doxorubicin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ethambutol; Fever of Unknown Origin; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Isoniazid; Lymphopenia; Male; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Pneumonectomy; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Pyrazinamide; Rifampin; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Vincristine

Four children on chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cryptosporidium was identified in the stools using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Two of them received paromomycin and responded well. One was started on paromomycin for 10 days and although there was clinical improvement, his stools examination continued to be positive for Cryptosporidium. He then received azithromycin for 10 days. He responded well and his stools became negative for Cryptosporidium. The fourth patient received azithromycin from the start and responded well. Cryptosporidium should be considered in all immunocompromised children with severe or prolonged diarrhea, and since it is not seen in a routine ova and parasite examination, the laboratory should be notified for diagnostic confirmation using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Immunocompromised children with Cryptosporidium diarrhea may benefit from paromomycin or azithromycin therapy.

Topics: Amebicides; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child, Preschool; Cryptosporidiosis; Diarrhea; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Paromomycin; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma