• Kelli Borges Santos, NetoAbrahão Elias HallackAE, Girlene Alves Silva, Angelo Atalla, Marcus Matta Abreu, and Luiz Cláudio Ribeiro.
• Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. kelli.borges@yahoo.com.br
• Sao Paulo Med J. 2012 Jan 1; 130 (1): 101610-6.

Context And ObjectiveHematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been widely used for treating oncological and hematological diseases. Although HSCT has helped to improve patient survival, the risk of developing infection during hospitalization is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyze the infection profile during hospitalization and the associated risk factors among patients undergoing autologous HSCT at the University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora.Design And SettingThis was a cross-sectional study on patients undergoing autologous HSCT at a public university hospital.MethodsPatients with febrile neutropenia between 2004 and 2009 were retrospectively evaluated regarding their infection profile and associated risk factors.ResultsInfection occurred in 57.2% of 112 patients with febrile neutropenia. The main source of infection was the central venous catheter (25.9%). Infection was chiefly due to Gram-positive bacteria, although Gram-negative-related infections were more severe and caused a higher death rate. Sex, age, skin color, nutritional status and underlying disease were not associated with the development of infection. Patients with severe mucositis (Grades III and IV) had a higher infection rate (P < 0.001). Patients who developed pulmonary complications during hospitalization had higher infection rates (P = 0.002). Infection was the main cause of death (57.1%) in the study sample.ConclusionStrategies aimed at reducing infection-related mortality rates among patients undergoing autologous HSCT are necessary.

35 keywords...

hide…