Risk factors for anaerobic bloodstream infections in bone marrow transplant recipients

The incidence of anaerobic bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recently increased at our institution. A retrospective case-control study of patients undergoing BMT from January 1995 through December 1998 was performed to determine the microbiological characteristics, epidemiology, and outcome of anaerobic BSI and to identify independent risk factors for infection. Anaerobic BSI occurred in 23 patients, for a rate of 4 BSIs per 100 BMT procedures, and it accounted for 17% of all BSIs that occurred during the study period. Infection occurred at a mean (+/- standard deviation) of 7+/-4 days after BMT and 7+/-5 days after the onset of neutropenia. Fusobacterium nucleatum was the most frequently isolated pathogen (in 17 patients), followed by Leptotrichia buccalis (in 4), Clostridium septicum (in 1), and Clostridium tertium (in 1). Two case patients (9%) died. Severity of mucositis was an independent predictor of anaerobic BSI (odds ratio, 4.4; P=.01). Controlling mucositis is critical for the prevention of anaerobic BSI in this patient population.