[Pulmonary infections in patients with lung cancer during antineoplastic therapy]

162 pulmonary infection episodes were observed in 94 patients with lung cancer undergoing antineoplastic therapy. 80 (40%) episodes occurred during leukopenia. Elevation of leucocyte count was seen in 12 episodes only. Elevated body temperature was the only sign in 20 episodes, of which in 7 cases microorganisms were cultured from the blood. Purulent pulmonary infections were observed in 71 episodes, in 66 the causative agent was identified. Purulent urinary tract infections were observed in 29 episodes, of which in 28 the microorganisms were identified. A coexistent pulmonary and urinary tract infection was seen in 13 cases, of which in all the causative agent was identified. Purulent infections of the nasopharyngeal mucosal membranes were observed in 16 cases, while herpes zoster in 13. The most often isolated organism in these cases were: Gram negative rods (E. coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus sp., Hemophilus influenzae); less commonly Gram positive bacteria were isolated, mainly Staphylococcus aureus. Candida sp. was the most common fungus that was isolated from these patients. In four cases Candida was isolated from blood.