Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
The incidence of nosocomial bacteremia continues to increase despite antimicrobial therapy and supportive care; it remains a major cause of death in hospitalized patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. The prolonged survival of leukemia patients who have disturbance in their innate immune system increased the factors of risk.
OBJECTIVE:
This study was conducted to assess the epidemiological features of Bacteremia in adult patients with leukemia and the species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibilities of causative pathogens. In addition, nosocomial bacteremia was compared to community acquired bacteremia.
METHODS:
A total of (84) adult leukemic patients more than 15 years old, males and females, feverish or with hypothermia and leukopenic. Bacteremic cases were obtained by culturing blood samples aerobically and anaerobically. The identification of blood isolates and susceptibility testing were performed by the routine methods in use at the affiliated laboratories.
RESULTS:
It has been found that 15 out of 28 (53.57%) patients with bacteremia acquired the infection during hospitalization, while the 13 (46.42%) patients acquired the infection out side the hospital. Table (1)
CONCLUSION:
High incidence rate of nosocomial infection (hospital acquired infections) in leukopenic leukemic patients with bacteremia.