Bloodstream infections and mortality-related factors in febrile neutropenic cancer patients

Background: We performed a prospective observational cohort study to evaluate the causative bacteria and to identify risk factors for mortality in febrile neutropenic (FN) patients with blood stream infection (BSI). Material/Methods: We conducted a prospective data collection on all patients with bacteremia or fungemia. The patients were assigned into low-risk and high-risk groups in accordance with the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Risk Index. Results: Throughout the study period, the patients developed 420 FN episodes. Out of 420 episodes, only 90 (21.4%) were found to have bloodstream infection. The mean age of the patients was 45.6 +/- 18.4 years and 55.6% of the patients were male. A total of 98 isolates were recovered from the cases of BSI. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp (CoNS) were the most common isolates overall (33.7%). There was a significant increase in the rate of gram-negative bacteria throughout the study period (p=0.028). Overall mortality was 33%. Multivariate analyses showed that MASCC risk scores (p=0.0001, OR=15.1, CI% 95 4.5-50.7), ICU wards (p=0.0002, OR=8.6, Cl% 95 1.101-68,157) and CoNS (p=0.004, OR=12.12, CI% 95 2.3-64.7) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. BSI due to CoNS was associated with lower mortality; however, MASCC high risk score and ICU stay were associated with higher mortality. Conclusions: The MASCC risk-index score and emergence of CoNS in positive blood cultures are valuable tools in the management of FN.