HEMATOLOGY

Contributions
Type: Publication Only
Background
Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is one of the most severe complications that apppear in patients with acute leukemia. The outcome of the acute leukemia is significantly influenced by the presence of severe fungal infection during induction, consolidation or salvage therapy.
Aims
To evaluate the outcome of patients with proven or probable IFI at diagnosis or during therapy. We analyzed the risk factors for invasive fungal infection in our study group.
Methods
We evaluated 91 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia during a 2 year period between March 2012 and October 2014. Of the 91 patients included, 63% was diagnose with acute myeloid leukemia. Median age at diagnosis was 52 years old. The number of episodes of febrile neutropenia in all patients and the appearance of probable or confirmed invasive fungal infections in the course of these episodes was analyzed.
Results
In our cohort the incidence of IFI during 90 episodes of febrile neutropenia analyzed was 18,6%. More than 50% of invasive fungal infection appeared after induction chemotherapy and the median duration of neutropenia grade IV OMS at this patients was 22 days. Infection with Aspergillus spp. was the most frequent diagnosed fungal infection (14 patients). Invasive candidiasis was diagnosed in only 3 patients. The most common location was the lung. 2 patients were diagnosed with probable cerebral aspergillosis. Despite the good response of azole based therapy in majority of patients, 5 patients required second line of antifungal therapy and death appear in 4 patients with invasive fungal infection. In our study group the only risk factor which statistic significantly influenced IFI risk was duration of neutropenia more than 21 days (p=0,006).
Summary
IFI is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with acute leukemia. The high percentage of patients with invasive fungal infection after induction chemotherapy (9,9% in our study) with significantly delays in subsequent consolidation courses is a important issue. Correct assessment of the risk of infection in these patient populations associated with appropriate prophylactic measures can significantly reduce the risk of these forms of infection.
Keyword(s): Aspergillus, Fungal infection, Leukemia
Session topic: Publication Only
Type: Publication Only
Background
Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is one of the most severe complications that apppear in patients with acute leukemia. The outcome of the acute leukemia is significantly influenced by the presence of severe fungal infection during induction, consolidation or salvage therapy.
Aims
To evaluate the outcome of patients with proven or probable IFI at diagnosis or during therapy. We analyzed the risk factors for invasive fungal infection in our study group.
Methods
We evaluated 91 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia during a 2 year period between March 2012 and October 2014. Of the 91 patients included, 63% was diagnose with acute myeloid leukemia. Median age at diagnosis was 52 years old. The number of episodes of febrile neutropenia in all patients and the appearance of probable or confirmed invasive fungal infections in the course of these episodes was analyzed.
Results
In our cohort the incidence of IFI during 90 episodes of febrile neutropenia analyzed was 18,6%. More than 50% of invasive fungal infection appeared after induction chemotherapy and the median duration of neutropenia grade IV OMS at this patients was 22 days. Infection with Aspergillus spp. was the most frequent diagnosed fungal infection (14 patients). Invasive candidiasis was diagnosed in only 3 patients. The most common location was the lung. 2 patients were diagnosed with probable cerebral aspergillosis. Despite the good response of azole based therapy in majority of patients, 5 patients required second line of antifungal therapy and death appear in 4 patients with invasive fungal infection. In our study group the only risk factor which statistic significantly influenced IFI risk was duration of neutropenia more than 21 days (p=0,006).
Summary
IFI is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with acute leukemia. The high percentage of patients with invasive fungal infection after induction chemotherapy (9,9% in our study) with significantly delays in subsequent consolidation courses is a important issue. Correct assessment of the risk of infection in these patient populations associated with appropriate prophylactic measures can significantly reduce the risk of these forms of infection.
Keyword(s): Aspergillus, Fungal infection, Leukemia
Session topic: Publication Only