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Objectives: The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a major human adenovirus (HAdV) replication site in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), yet the prevalence and correlates of HAdV GI infection in this setting have remained poorly recognized, especially among adult HSCT recipients. Design or methods: We retrospectively studied the prevalence and risk factors of HAdV GI‐tissue infection in HSCT recipients (73 adults and 15 children) with GI symptoms who underwent GI‐tissue biopsy between January‐2012 and December‐2017. The presence of HAdV in the GI tissues was determined by real‐time PCR. Results: HAdV GI‐tissue infection was detected in 21 (23.9%) patients, with similar infection rates identified in adults and children. GI‐tissue detection was more common at late (>100 days) compared to early times post‐transplantation (50% vs. 12.9%, p <.001). The presence of bloody diarrhea, Arab ethnicity (p =.014) and concurrent cytomegalovirus GI‐tissue detection (p =.025) were significantly correlated with HAdV GI‐tissue infection, while chronic graft versus host disease was of borderline association (p =.055). Conclusions: Our findings reveal a high rate and new clinical‐demographic correlates of HAdV GI‐tissue infection in adult and pediatric HSCT recipients with GI symptoms. The findings highlight the need for future prospective studies to assess the relatedness of HAdV infection to the GI symptoms, and the prevalence, impact, and treatment of HAdV GI infection in HSCT recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies addressing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in patients with hematological malignancies have reported mortality rates of up to 40%; however, included predominantly hospitalized patients. Methods: During the first year of the pandemic, we followed adult patients with hematological malignancies treated at a tertiary center in Jerusalem, Israel, who contracted COVID‐19, with the aim of studying risk factors for adverse COVID‐19‐related outcomes. We used remote communication to track patients managed at home‐isolation, and patient questioning to assess the source of COVID‐19 infection, community versus nosocomial. Results: Our series included 183 patients, median age was 62.5 years, 72% had at least one comorbidity and 39% were receiving active antineoplastic treatment. Hospitalization, critical COVID‐19, and mortality rates were 32%, 12.6%, and 9.8%, respectively, remarkably lower than previously reported. Age, multiple comorbidities, and active antineoplastic treatment were significantly associated with hospitalization due to COVID‐19. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies was strongly associated with both hospitalization and critical COVID‐19. In older (≥60) patients not receiving active antineoplastic treatment, mortality, and severe COVID‐19 rates were comparable to those of the general Israeli population. We did not detect patients that contracted COVID‐19 within the Hematology Division. Conclusion: These findings are relevant for the future management of patients with hematological malignancies in COVID‐19‐affected regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are non‐haematopoietic cells found in fetal and adult organs, that play important roles in tissue repair, inflammation and immune modulation. MSCs residing in the bone marrow interact closely with haematopoietic cells and comprise an important component of the microenvironment supporting haematopoiesis, in both health and disease states. Since their identification in 1970, basic scientific and preclinical research efforts have shed light on the role of MSCs in the regulation of haematopoiesis and evoked interest in their clinical application in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and malignant haematology. Over the last two decades, these research efforts have led to numerous clinical trials, which have established the safety of MSC therapy; however, the optimal mode of administration and the benefit remain inconclusive. In this paper, we will review the clinical experience with use of MSCs in HSCT for enhancement of engraftment, prevention and treatment of graft‐versus‐host disease and haemorrhagic cystitis. Then, we will discuss the contradictory evidence regarding tumour‐promoting versus tumour‐suppressing effects of MSCs in haematological malignancies, which may have relevance for future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]