Frequency of Candida Infection in Post Chemotherapy Acute Leukemia Patient with Febrile Neutropenia

ABSTRACT

Objective: In this study our main goal is to evaluate thefrequency of candida infection in post chemotherapy febrileneutropenia patient with acute leukemia.Method: This prospective type of observation study carried outat Department of Haematology of Bangabandhu Sheikh MujibMedical University (BSMMU) from September 2016 to August2017. A total 63 patients of acute leukaemia (AML and ALL)were admitted in the Department of Haematology in BSMMU.Patients were selected by purposive sampling. A typedquestionnaire was supplied to all patients and those who gavethe written consent were selected as cases.Results: In the study, it was found that 19 (30.2%) patientsbelonged to age ≤20 years followed by 19 (30.2%) of 21-30years, 13 (20.6%) 31-40 years, 6 (9.5%) 41-50 years and 6(9.5%) >50 years of age. Immunophenotypically AML wasfound in 35 patients which was 55.6% of study population, BALL in 9 (14.3%), T ALL in 5 (7.9%) and APL in 2 (3.2%)patients. Majority of the patients 28 (44.4%) were found inconsolidation phase of chemotherapy followed by 26 (41.3%)in induction phase, 5 (7.9%) in relapse, 3 (4.8%) in re-inductionand 1 (1.6%) in palliative phase. 6 (9.5%) patients were foundpositive for throat swab for Candida in this study and bloodculture were negative for candida. Among the AML patients 4(66.7%) patients were found positive for candida in throat swaband 36 (64.3%) were found negative.Conclusion: In the study, it was found that among candida inthroat swab were more common in AML than ALL. Cause wasunknown but might be due to Reduce duration of neutropeniaby applying G-CSF and empirical local and systemic antifungaltherapy.