Severe sepsis defined as infection-induced organ dysfunction or hypoperfusion abnormalities predispose to septic shock and increased mortality in neutropenic setting. We aimed at determining predictors of severe sepsis in neutropenic patients. Between 1 October and 31 December 2007, 41 patients (21 with acute myeloid leukemia, 19 with acute lymphoid leukemia and one with autologous stem cell transplantation for a mantle cell lymphoma) with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (<0.5 x 10(9)/l) lasting for more than 7 days were included in this study. The median age was 28 years (range: 3-58 years). All patients were on oral antibacterial (colistin and gentamicin) and anti-fungal (amphotericin B) prophylaxis. The first neutropenic febrile episode was treated with piperacillin/tazobactam and colistin IV; if the patient remains febrile at 48 h from the start of this first line of treatment, amphotericin B i.v. is added. Imipenem was introduced in the case of non-response and finally glycopeptides were introduced according to the IDSA criteria. Severe sepsis and septic shock are defined according to the criteria of the consensus conference of the ACCP/SCCM excluding the leukocyte count since all the patients were neutropenic. Ninety-four febrile episodes were observed: 27 microbiologically documented (28.7%), six clinically documented (6.3%) and 61 fever of unknown origin (65%). Microbiologically documented infections were: 13 Gram-negative organisms, 11 Gram-positive organisms and three combined (Gram+ and -). Clinically documented infections were pneumonia (two), neutropenic enterocolitis (one), sinuses infection (one) and cutaneous infection (two). Severe sepsis accounted for 22 febrile episodes. Factors associated with the occurrence of severe sepsis were: hypophosphatemia (<0.8 mmol/l; p=0.05, OR=3.9, 95% CI: 1.3-45.7), hypoproteinemia (<62 g/l; p=0.006, OR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.4-11.4) and non-adapted antibiotherapy at the onset of severe sepsis (p=0.019, OR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.02-7.39). However, heart rate/systolic blood pressure ratio <1.1 (p<0.001, OR=0.1, 95% CI: 0.03-0.31) and Creactive protein <80 mg (p=0.001, OR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.04-0.54) were not predictive.

Neutropenia is a major risk factor for developing a serious infection. Bacteremia still causes significant mortality among neutropenic patients with cancer. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for septic shock and for mortality in neutropenic patients with leukemia and bacteremia. Consecutive samples from 20 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and bacteremia were studied during a 1 year period (January-December 2003). All patients received empirical antibiotic therapies for febrile episodes using ceftazidime plus amikacin. About 110 neutropenic febrile episodes were noted: clinically documented 14.54%, microbiologically documented 16.36% and fever of unknown origin 69.09%. Gram-negative organism caused eight febrile episodes: Pseudomonas (5), Klebsiella (3). Gram-positive organism caused 10 episodes: Staphylococcus (6), Streptococci (2), Enterococci (2). Pulmonary infection accounted for 25% of clinically documented infections. About 14 of the 110 febrile episodes were associated with septic shock causing mortality in 7 patients. In a univariate analysis variables associated with septic shock were: pulmonary infection (OR = 17, p = 0.001), serum bicarbonate < 17 mmol/l (OR = 68, p < 0.001) and serum lactate >3 mmol/l (OR = 62, p < 0.001). Variables associated with mortality were: pulmonary infection (OR = 83, p < 0.001) and serum bicarbonate < 17 mmol/l (OR = 61, p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis two variables were associated with septic shock: pulmonary infection (OR = 5, p = 0.043) and serum lactate >3 mmol/l (OR = 10, p = 0.003). An elevated serum lactate (>3 mmol/l) and low serum bicarbonate ( < 17 mmol/l) at the onset of bacteremia are useful biomarkers in predicting septic shock and mortality in neutropenic patients.

BackgroundOur aim is to detect the infection by Toscana virus (TOSV) and other Phleboviruses in the sera and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis in Tunisia. We examined various species of phlebotomus present in Tunisia to determine whether or not a direct relationship exists between cases of meningitis and the viruses circulating in the insect vectors.MethodsPatients with the meningeal syndrome were tested for anti-TOSV IgM and IgG using an indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses using a RT-PCR test.An entomological study was carried out using CDC light traps to trap sandflies in different bioclimatic zones of Tunisia. Collected sandflies were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses and subsequently by viral isolation on Vero cells.ResultsOf 263 patients were tested using ELISA of which 12.16% (n = 32/263) were IgM positive for anti TOSV. Of these 32 patients, 78% (n = 25/32) were IgG positive. 12.86% (n = 18/140) of the CSF samples tested by RT-PCR were positive for the Toscana virus.One CSF sample tested by RT-PCR revealed the presence of Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV). The Punique virus was identified in one sandfly pool.ConclusionsThis study confirms, for the first time, that TOSV is involved in a neurological disorder in North Africa. The incidence of this involvement in Tunisia conforms with observations made in other Mediterranean countries. Moreover, for the first time, a molecular approach was used to detect SFSV in a Tunisian patient displaying neurological symptoms.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0598-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

We found high BMI (>35) in female and treatment without Cytarabine to increase the risk of developing complications with ATRA.

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