Abstract
Background:
Infections are life-threatening complications in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support (HDT). Knowledge of the infectious pathogens is essential to make a safe outpatient setting.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study of 208 patients treated with HDT. The population included non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM) patients. No patients received prophylactic antibacterial treatment.
Results:
Pathogens were isolated from 44% of all patients. MM patients more frequently had multiple pathogens in blood cultures (38% versus 25%). Transplantation related mortality was similar between the groups.
Conclusion:
The frequency of isolated pathogens, positive blood cultures, and the diversity of pathogens were higher in MM patients as compared to NHL patients. However, this did not translate into higher transplantation-related mortality, probably because broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment could be initiated immediately. A safe outpatient setting with prophylactic antibiotic treatment is dependent on continuous collection and registration of microbiological findings.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Ambulatory Care
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Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
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Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
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Antibiotic Prophylaxis
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Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
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Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
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Female
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Fungi / drug effects
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Fungi / isolation & purification
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Giardia lamblia / drug effects
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Giardia lamblia / isolation & purification
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification
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Humans
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Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications*
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Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy
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Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / metabolism
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Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Multiple Myeloma / complications*
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Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
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Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
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Multiple Myeloma / therapy
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Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
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Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology*
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Opportunistic Infections / microbiology*
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Opportunistic Infections / parasitology
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Retrospective Studies
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Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
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Stem Cell Transplantation* / mortality
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Young Adult
Substances
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Anti-Infective Agents
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Antineoplastic Agents