Bacteremia During Early Post-allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Period: A Single Center Experience

Bacteremia is a significant complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We aimed to study bacteremia occurring during early post-transplant period at Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit of Ain Shams University regarding its risk factors and impact on survival. Patients performing allogeneic HSCT were followed up for occurrence of bacteremia. Survival status was assessed at 180 days post-transplant. Bacteremia occurred in 53.3 % of patients. On univariate analysis, CD34 +ve cell dose (P = 0.004), duration of neutropenia (P = 0.018), time interval between day of stem cell infusion and day of neutrophil engraftment (P = 0.043) and > 1 apheresis days (P = 0.040) were associated with higher rates of bacteremia. On multivariate analysis, CD34 +ve cell dose (P = 0.002) and apheresis day number (P = 0.038) remained significant. There was significant difference between patients who developed bacteremia and those who did not regarding overall survival (OS) (P = 0.042). Patients developing bacteremia caused by Gram negative bacteria (GNB) had lower OS than Gram positive bacteria (GPB) (P < 0.001). In conclusion, stem cell dose and apheresis day number influence bacteremia risk. Also, Gram negative bacteremia has negative impact on allogeneic transplant recipient survival rates.