ABSTRACT Although relatively uncommon in the general population with an incidence of 2-7 cases per 100,000 person years, infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest that the incidence of IE in oncology patients overall has increased and that it is reasonable to maintain a baseline suspicion in patients who […]
ABSTRACT Central nervous system (CNS) infections represent an important complication in cancer patients undergoing therapy. These infections are often difficult to diagnose, a high level of suspicion, prompt investigation and institution of appropriate and early therapy remains critical for improved outcomes. A wide variety of viruses, bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi and parasitic meningeal and brain disease […]
ABSTRACT The risk of developing an infection in patients with genitourinary tract malignancy arise from a host of factors such as 1) tumor encroachment and invasion of adjacent structures; 2) tumor necrosis; 3) complications arising from antineoplastic chemotherapy; 4) early and late effects of abdomiopelvic radiation therapy; 5) surgical tumor excision and removal of internal […]
ABSTRACT Hepatitis viruses can cause serious illness in patient with cancer and those who have undergone stem cell transplantation. Patients with hematological malignancies chronically infected with either Hepatitis B virus or Hepatitis C virus are at risk for viral reactivation following chemotherapy. Hepatitis B virus reactivation is a common and serious complication but preventable. Hepatitis […]
ABSTRACT Neutropenic enterocolitis is best defined as a clinical syndrome with features indistinguishable from other causes of bowel inflammation. Patients usually present with fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and have evidence of thickened bowel wall. This potentially fatal complication is not uncommon in neutropenic children, whereas, in adults neutropenic enterocolitis is often seen in older patients […]
ABSTRACT The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a highly evolved anatomical and functional structure that encounters a vast array of antigens, food particles and microorganisms on a daily basis. The intestine has to perform the daunting function of absorbing nutrients essential for human life, while keeping us protected from luminal antigens, particles and pathogens. The adult […]
Safdar A, Rodriguez G, Zuniga J, Al Akhrass F, Georgescu G, Pande A. Acta Haematol. 2013;129(1):26-34. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adding granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) may improve the response to antifungal therapy in immunosuppressed patients with invasive fungal disease (IFD). METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 66 patients in whom GM-CSF was given during antifungal therapy. RESULTS: Severe […]
ABSTRACT Neutropenia is well known as a risk factor for infectious complications of patients treated for hematological malignancies. Less is known about the impact of intensive chemotherapy on the epithelial innate immunity that protects us from infections due to opportunistic pathogens that reside on the mucosal surfaces. Injury to the mucosal barrier leads to barrier dysfunction, perturbed microbial signaling […]
ABSTRACT Pneumonia is the leading cause of death from infection among cancer patients and second most common cause of death after uncontrolled cancer itself. Therefore, the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia are critical to outcomes among cancer patients. During the workup of a symptom or sign, such as cough, fever or chills, abnormalities in […]
ABSTRACT Lower respiratory tract infections result in unacceptably high mortality among cancer patients. Pneumonias cause death in this population both directly through impairment of gas exchange and progression to system infection/sepsis, as well as indirectly by precluding delivery of necessary, but immuncompromising, anti-neoplastic therapies.1-3 Malignancy and treatment-related impairments of host immune responses and the emergence […]