Pattern of bacterial infections in cancer patients: Experience from a Tertiary Cancer Center

Abstract

Introduction: Though with the invent of better diagnostic and therapeutic modalities the mortality rates due to cancer have fallen over the past years, but infection remains a primary or associated cause of death, with bacteria most commonly agent. Objectives: This study was undertaken to monitor the types of pathogens commonly found in cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatment and their antibiotic resistance patterns. Materials and methods: Total 100 patients, who were admitted for chemotherapy in department from 1 may 2021 to 31st July 2021 were enrolled and different samples were taken were sent to microbiology department for culture and sensitivity and then analysis was done. Results: Maximum number of samples were of pus (26%) and sputum (26%), followed by urine sample, while blood and vaginal swab samples were least. Overall, 91% organism were gram negative bacteria. In pus samples, maximum no.of microbes found were klebsiella pneumoniae (37.03%) followed by E.coli (33.33%). In stool sample, commonest organism was klebsiella pneumoniae (50%) and in sputum, klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common found organism (57.69%), In urine, commonest organism was E.coli (66.66%) ,followed by klebsiella pneumoniae (33.33%). ESBL producing microbes were 69.09%, while ESBL non-producing were 30.9%.Highest resistance was seen with flouroquinolones(55%) while least with carbopenum(4%). Conclusion: Judicial use of antibiotics, based on culture and sensitivity reports wherever possible, is of utmost importance so that further development of antibiotic resistance and infection related mortality can be reduced.