Increased incidence rates of positive blood cultures shortly after chemotherapy compared to radiotherapy among individuals treated for solid malignant tumours

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cancer treatments suppress immune function and are associated with increased risk of infections, but the overall burden of serious infectious diseases in treated patients has not been clearly elucidated.

METHODS: All patients treated for solid malignant tumours with radiotherapy (RT) and/or standard first-line chemotherapy (C) at the Department of Oncology at Rigshospitalet between 01/1/2010 and 31/12/2016 were included. Patients were followed from treatment initiation until the first of new cancer treatment, 1 year after treatment initiation, end of follow-up or death. Incidence rates (IR) of positive blood culture (PBC) per 1000 person-years follow-up (PYFU) were calculated.

FINDINGS: 12,433 individuals were included, 3582 (29%), 6349 (51%), and 2502 (20%) treated with RT, C, or both RT & C, respectively, contributing 8182 PYFU. 429 (3%) individuals experienced 502 unique episodes of PBC, incidence rate (95% CI) 52.43 (47.7, 57.6) per 1000 PYFU. The 30-day mortality rate after PBC was 24% independent of treatment modality. Adjusted incidence rate ratios in the first 3 months (95% CI) after PBC significantly varied by treatment: 2.89 (1.83, 4.55) and 2.52 (1.53, 4.14) for C and RT & C compared to RT. Escherichia coli (n = 127, 25%) was the top microorganism identified.

INTERPRETATION: PBCs are not common, but when they occur, mortality is high.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInfection
Volume51
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)147-157
Number of pages11
ISSN0300-8126
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • Positive blood culture
  • Radiotherapy
  • Solid malignant tumours

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