Prevalence of invasive fungal disease in hematological patients at a tertiary university hospital in Singapore
2011

Prevalence of Invasive Fungal Disease in Hematological Patients

Sample size: 39 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lee Siok-Ying, Yeo Chay-Leng, Lee Winnie H, Kwa Andrea L, Koh Liang-Piu, Hsu Li-Yang

Primary Institution: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital

Hypothesis

The study aims to determine the prevalence and types of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in hematological patients at a tertiary university hospital.

Conclusion

The burden of IFD is high in the institution, particularly among allogeneic HSCT recipients and patients undergoing induction chemotherapy for AML.

Supporting Evidence

  • 39 cases of IFD were diagnosed during the study period.
  • Aspergillus spp. accounted for 83.9% of all probable and definite infections.
  • The in-hospital mortality rate was 28.2%, with 12.8% of deaths attributed to IFD.
  • IFD occurred in 9.7% of AML patients and 3.9% of ALL patients treated at the institution.
  • Fluconazole prophylaxis was provided for 71.8% of cases.

Takeaway

This study found that many patients with blood cancers get serious fungal infections, and using certain medicines might help prevent them.

Methodology

A retrospective chart review of hematological patients diagnosed with IFD from October 2007 to April 2010.

Limitations

The study is retrospective, and not all cases of IFD may have been diagnosed; no autopsies were performed on deceased patients.

Participant Demographics

{"median_age":43,"gender_distribution":{"male":64.1,"female":35.9},"diagnosis":{"AML":{"total":124,"with_IFD":12,"percentage":9.7},"ALL":{"total":103,"with_IFD":4,"percentage":3.9},"HSCT":{"total":62,"with_IFD":10,"percentage":16.1}}}

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-0500-4-42

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication