Bloodstream Infection and Risk for Plasma Cell Neoplasms: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Infectious Diseases
• Oncology

Background:

• Invasive infections can indicate underlying plasma cell neoplasms.
• Bloodstream infection (BSI) may be an early sign prompting investigation for occult plasma cell neoplasms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the risk of a subsequent plasma cell neoplasm diagnosis after a bloodstream infection (BSI).

Main Methods:

• Population-based surveillance from 2000-2019.
• Identified patients with plasma cell neoplasms diagnosed within one year of a BSI.
• Included 90 patients with BSI preceding neoplasm diagnosis and 95,753 controls.

Main Results:

• A BSI was associated with a 13-fold increased risk of plasma cell neoplasm diagnosis (IRR 12.9).
• The risk was higher in females (IRR 14.0).
• Streptococcus pneumoniae BSI showed the highest risk (IRR 46.9).

Conclusions:

• BSI, especially with S. pneumoniae, serves as a marker for occult plasma cell neoplasms in a subset of patients.
• Further research is needed to develop investigation strategies for patients with incident BSIs.