Second Bacteremia During Antibiotic Treatment in Children With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Report From the Canadian Infections in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Group

• Published in: Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Vol. 3; no. 3; pp. 228 - 233
• Main Authors: Tran, Thai Hoa, Yanofsky, Rochelle, Johnston, Donna L., Dix, David, Gillmeister, Biljana, Ethier, Marie-Chantal, Portwine, Carol, Price, Vicky, Mitchell, David, Cellot, Sonia, Lewis, Victor, Zelcer, Shayna, Silva, Mariana, Michon, Bruno, Bowes, Lynette, Stobart, Kent, Brossard, Josée, Beyene, Joseph, Sung, Lillian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.09.2014
• Subjects: second bacteremia; neutropenia; infection; acute myeloid leukemia; children
• ISSN: 2048-7193; 2048-7207
• DOI: 10.1093/jpids/pit086

Background The risk of second bacteremia during antibiotic treatment for initial bacteremia is unknown in high-risk populations. Our objectives were to describe the prevalence of second bacteremia during treatment and identify risk factors in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study that included children and adolescents with de novo, non-M3 AML who were diagnosed and treated between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2004 at 15 Canadian centers. Patients were monitored for bacteremia during chemotherapy until completion of treatment, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, relapse, refractory disease, or death. Results There were 290 episodes of bacteremia occurring in 185 (54.3%) of 341 children. Eighteen (6.2%) had a second bacteremia while receiving antibiotic treatment. Two episodes of second bacteremia were complicated by sepsis; there were no infection-related deaths. Eleven episodes (61.1%) had either an initial Gram-positive and subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia or initial Gram-negative followed by Gram-positive bacteremia. Days receiving corticosteroids (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.12; P < .0001), cumulative dose of corticosteroids (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.08; P = .035), and days of neutropenia from start of course to initial bacteremia (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.12; P = .007) were significantly associated with second bacteremia. Conclusions In pediatric AML, 6% of patients will experience a second bacteremia during antibiotic treatment; duration of corticosteroid exposure and neutropenia are risk factors. These patients remain at high risk for second bacteremia after identification of the initial bacteremia and warrant continued broad-spectrum treatment during profound neutropenia.