Biomaterial Database

Febrile Neutropenia Duration Is Associated with the Severity of Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Pediatric Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients. 2022

Riccardo Masetti, and Federica D'Amico, and Daniele Zama, and Davide Leardini, and Edoardo Muratore, and Marek Ussowicz, and Jowita Fraczkiewicz, and Simone Cesaro, and Giulia Caddeo, and Vincenza Pezzella, and Tamara Belotti, and Francesca Gottardi, and Piero Tartari, and Patrizia Brigidi, and Silvia Turroni, and Arcangelo Prete

Pediatric Oncology and Hematology "Lalla Seràgnoli", IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common complication in pediatric patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Frequently, a precise cause cannot be identified, and many factors can contribute to its genesis. Gut microbiota (GM) has been recently linked to many transplant-related complications, and may also play a role in the pathogenesis of FN. Here, we conducted a longitudinal study in pediatric patients receiving HSCT from three centers in Europe profiling their GM during the transplant course, particularly at FN onset. We found that a more stable GM configuration over time is associated with a shorter duration of fever. Moreover, patients with longer lasting fever exhibited higher pre-HSCT levels of Collinsella, Megasphaera, Prevotella and Roseburia and increased proportions of Eggerthella and Akkermansia at the engraftment. These results suggest a possible association of the GM with the genesis and course of FN. Data seem consistent with previous reports on the relationship of a so-called "healthy" GM and the reduction of transplant complications. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the pediatric HSCT setting. Future studies are warranted to define the underling biological mechanisms and possible clinical implications.