Infections in patients with hematological cancer: recent developments

One of the most common complications involved in treating patients with hematologic cancer is infection. In many cases there are multiple factors that predispose these patients to infections such as neutropenia induced by therapy or bone marrow involvement, hypogammaglobulinemia, T-cell dysfunction, and mucosal damage. In addition, newer therapies have changed the spectrum of infection that is seen in these patients. In Section I, Dr. Blijlevens discusses mucosal damage as a major risk factor for complications of cytotoxic chemotherapy. She focuses on mucosal barrier injury (MBI) as manifest in the GI tract and will describe a pathological model to explain MBI, evaluate risk factors for development of this syndrome, explain the relationship between MBI and infection, and discuss treatment and prevention of this injury. Invasive fungal infections continue to represent a significant problem in patients with hematologic cancer. In Section II, Drs. Anaissie and Mahfouz review the latest developments in the diagnosis, prevention, and management of invasive fungal infections with a focus on a risk-adjusted approach to this problem. Finally, in Section III, Dr. O'Brien reviews infections associated with newer therapeutic regimens in hematologic cancers. The spectrum of infections has changed with the use of purine analogs and the advent of monoclonal antibodies. The profound T-cell suppression associated with these therapies has led to the emergence of previously rare infections such as cytomegalovirus. An approach to both prophylaxis and management of these infections is discussed.