Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACK GROUND:
Fever may be the only indication of a severe infection, it occurs in about (10 -50%) of patients
with solid malignancy during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the common pathogens causing febrile neutropenia and their susceptibility to
antibiotics in patients with solid malignancies in oncology teaching hospital.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
50 patients with solid malignancy were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Blood culture and
sensitivity test were investigated for them. Other sample cultures were investigated according to
system involvement.
RESULTS:
Blood culture was positive in 18% of patients. Gram negative bacteria were predominant
(81.81%). Among which E.coli being the most common (33.33%). E.coli was the isolate in the
only 2 (4%) positive Urine culture.
The most frequently effective antibiotic for Gram negative infections was Amikacin followed by
Imipenem compared to Ciprofloxacin, Tetracycline and Aztreonam for Gram positive ones.
CONCLUSION:
Gram negative bacteria were the most bacteria isolated in the studied patients.