Background. The incidence of health care-associated infections in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (RT) is unknown. This retrospective study investigated the most common pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity/resistance patterns in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods. Infection rates in patients with head and neck cancer were analyzed over 2 periods (January 2005 to December 2009 and January 2010 to November 2012). Results. In the first period, 140 health care-associated infections were observed among 2288 admissions, mostly because of gram-negative pathogens affecting the respiratory tract. In the second period, 212 health care-associated infections were observed. An increase in antibiotic resistance was reported. Health care-associated infections were more frequent with: male sex, age <65 years, important comorbidities, smoking, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), prophylaxis, and/or central venous catheter (CVC), locally advanced disease, and chemotherapy/RT, especially after the third week of treatment. Conclusion. Health care-associated infections increased over time, with corresponding increases in gram-negative pathogens and resistant strains. Prevention and treatment protocols should be implemented in institutions treating patients with head and neck cancer. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Health care-associated infections in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy

Bossi P;
2016-01-01

Abstract

Background. The incidence of health care-associated infections in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (RT) is unknown. This retrospective study investigated the most common pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity/resistance patterns in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods. Infection rates in patients with head and neck cancer were analyzed over 2 periods (January 2005 to December 2009 and January 2010 to November 2012). Results. In the first period, 140 health care-associated infections were observed among 2288 admissions, mostly because of gram-negative pathogens affecting the respiratory tract. In the second period, 212 health care-associated infections were observed. An increase in antibiotic resistance was reported. Health care-associated infections were more frequent with: male sex, age <65 years, important comorbidities, smoking, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), prophylaxis, and/or central venous catheter (CVC), locally advanced disease, and chemotherapy/RT, especially after the third week of treatment. Conclusion. Health care-associated infections increased over time, with corresponding increases in gram-negative pathogens and resistant strains. Prevention and treatment protocols should be implemented in institutions treating patients with head and neck cancer. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11379/515290
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