Branhamella catarrhalis septicemia in patients with leukemia

During a 10-year period, four patients with leukemia were identified who had Branhamella catarrhalis septicemia. Two patients had acute leukemia and the remaining two had chronic myelogenous leukemia with blastic transformation. All patients were febrile and neutropenic at the onset of the septicemia. After appropriate antibiotic therapy, they recovered from their infection despite persistence of neutropenia. Because beta-lactamase-producing bacteria are an increasing cause of nosocomial infections, treatment should be selected to cover them.