Evaluation of risk factors and causative pathogens in bloodstream infections in Cancer Patients

Aims: Bloodstream infection in cancer patients may cause delays in chemotherapy, prolonged hospital stay, difficulties in diagnosis and treatment, inappropriate treatment, high mortality rates and increased health care costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors and causative pathogens in bloodstream infection in cancer patients. Methods: The study was planned as a retrospective case-control study. The study included patients who were followed up and treated with the diagnosis of hematologic malignancy or solid tumor and who were found to have bloodstream infection during the period from 01/01/2014 to 12/31/2018 and patients with similar characteristics as the control group. Results: A total of 312 (276 hematologic malignancy, 36 solid tumor) bloodstream infections were included. The presence of central venous catheter (CVC), steroid use, presence of urinary catheter, neutrophil count, neutropenia duration and total hospitalization day were determined as independent risk factors of bloodstream infection in patients with hematologic malignancy. The presence of CVC, total parenteral nutrition, renal failure and neutrophil count were determined as independent risk factors of bloodstream infection in patients with solid tumor. In patients with hematologic malignancy, 113 Escherichia coli and 59 Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected. In patients with solid tumor, 7 E. coli and 5 K. pneumoniae were detected. Conclusions: Risk factors are higher in the development of bloodstream infection in patients with hematologic malignancy and patients should be closely monitored. Multidrug-resistant bacteria might also be isolated from the blood cultures of patients. Therefore, it is recommended to start with broad-spectrum antibiotics in bloodstream infections. Keywords: Bloodstream infection, hematologic malignancy, solid tumor