Incidence of neutropenic fever and sepsis in patients receiving induction chemotherapy in acute leukemia

Abstract

Background: Acute leukemias are treated with intensive chemotherapy protocols which are associated with increased risk of infections. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of febrile neutropenia and sepsis in acute leukemia patients during induction chemotherapy.Methods: In this prospective study we analysed the data of febrile neutropenia of forty-four patients of acute leukemia treated with intensive chemotherapy protocols. Study was conducted in hemato-oncology unit of Government Medical College, Kozhikode from January 2018 to December 2018. Events of the first month of induction were assessed, data entered in Microsoft excel and analysed with SPSS software.Results: Febrile neutropenia developed in all patients with AML induction therapy and 21.4% patients with ALL induction therapy. Causative organism was identified in 41.6% of febrile neutropenia episodes. Major focus of infection was lower respiratory tract followed by gastrointestinal tract. Fungal infection was identified in 6.8% cases. Mortality in AML induction was 31% and that of ALL induction was 3.57%. Infection was the most common cause of mortality. No clinical or laboratory parameters were found significant to predict outcome during induction chemotherapy in acute leukemia.Conclusions: Neutropenic fever and sepsis are the major cause of mortality in acute leukemia during induction chemotherapy. Early initiation of appropriate antibiotics will help to improve outcome in the treatment of leukemia.

Survivorship Struggles: Navigating Etiologies and Clinical Parameters of Febrile Neutropenia During Induction Chemotherapy in Acute Leukemia Patients

“…These infections lead to adverse outcomes during the intense phase of treatment and exacerbate mortality [ 7 ]. Despite the existence of comprehensive guidelines for supportive care and management of infections, complicated febrile neutropenia remains the most prevalent cause of mortality during inducting chemotherapy in acute leukemia patients, and the results of our study are suggestive of this finding [ 8 ].…”

“…Febrile neutropenia is a life-threatening oncological emergency that emphasizes the need for comprehensive research and improved therapeutic strategies to address the challenges faced by patients undergoing induction chemotherapy [ 8 , 9 ]. A developing nation such as Pakistan grapples with the complexities of the management of febrile neutropenia, where limited resources and access to advanced medical care add a layer of adversity [ 9 ].…”

Serum IgG and IgA level in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and its relation with outcome in induction chemotherapy

“…This study states, sepsis occurred in 76.6% patients (46/60). In an Indian study, Prasoon et al, (2021) reported the 20% incidence of sepsis in case of ALL during induction chemotherapy 9. In this study, the comparison of serum IgG and IgA levels between the control group and the study population showed that the mean IgG during baselineIgA level (…”