OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence and risk factors for secondary cytopenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODSThe clinical data of a total of 260 patients received allo-HSCT between Jan 1, 2006 to Jan 1, 2008 were retrospectively analyzed for the incidence and risk factors of secondary cytopenia. According to the hematopoietic reconstitution after transplantation, the patients were divided into (1) secondary neutropenia group; (2) secondary thrombocytopenia group and (3)secondary poor graft function group.

RESULTSDuring the 100 days after allo-HSCT, the secondary neutropenia (38.8% vs 18.0%, P=0.0005) or secondary thrombocytopenia (25% vs 12%, P=0.01) occurred in haploidentical HSCT (haplo-HSCT) patients were more often than that in HLA-matched group. Poor graft function showed no significant difference between the above two groups (5.6% vs 2.0%, P=0.21). Multivariate analyses revealed that cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection significantly increased the risk of secondary neutropenia. GVHD and CMV infection were independent risk factors for secondary thrombocytopenia. Meanwhile, CMV infection was an independent risk factor for secondary poor graft function.

CONCLUSIONSecondary cytopenia remains a serious complication following allo-HSCT, especially in haplo-HSCT. Higher occurrence of GVHD and CMV infection may lead to higher incidence of secondary cytopenia in haplo-HSCT.