Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis prior to BMT in acute leukemia patients does not predict a poor outcome.

Eight patients with acute leukemia (AL) and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) developing during previous antileukemic therapy underwent BMT (autologous in 6 cases and allogeneic 2). IPA was treated prior to BMT with full doses of amphotericin B, associated with surgical resection in three cases. One patient was treated with amphotericin B and itraconazole. Prior to BMT, seven patients had minimal residual pulmonary lesions. All patients received amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg/day) during the aplastic period prior to engraftment. One patient died of Gram-negative septic shock before engraftment. Seven patients achieved complete hematological engraftment without any evidence of IPA reactivation. Amphotericin B was well tolerated with only minimal transient renal dysfunction in three patients. Later pulmonary complications related to IPA were observed in only one patient who developed a self-limited episode of hemoptysis. One patient died of CMV pneumonitis and two of leukemia relapse. Four patients survive disease-free and without complications related to IPA. We conclude that the reactivation of correctly treated IPA can be successfully prevented in BMT patients by use of prophylactic amphotericin B. With this approach, prior IPA is not a contraindication to BMT.