Infecções no transplante de medula óssea no Hospital Universitário da UFJF: a incidência dos principais microrganismos e os fatores de risco associados

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is a procedure used to treat different diseases with the aim to re-establish bone marrow normal functioning or when hematopoietic toxicity is considered a limiting factor for more aggressive treatment. Some procedure-related complications are important in the increase of morbidity and mortality rates. Infection, chiefly during hospital stay, has been a concern of all transplant teams worldwide. This complication has been considered the most frequent cause of death among patients undergoing allogeneic transplantation, and the second cause of death among those undergoing autologous transplantation. This study analyzed infections profile, the incidence of major microorgansims and the risk factors associated with the rise of infections among patients undergoing autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem-cells at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. The files of 111 patients who underwent 115 transplantations during the period 2004-2009 were analyzed. Infection was present in 54,8% of the cases. Sex, age, race, nutritional status, underlying disease and co-morbidities were not associated with an increased incidence of infection. Mucositis was considered an association factor for the presence of infection (p=0,021), patients with higher degrees of mucositis developing more infections (p=0,012). Pulmonary complications were also associated with infection development (p=0,002). The main infectious focus was that related to a central venous catheter, affecting 26% of the study population. Infections were predominantly caused by Gram-positive bacteria, although Gram-negative ones led to a higher number of deaths. Fungal infections were present in 24 patients, with the main fungus Candida albicans. Infection was the main cause of death in the study population, occurring in 57,1% patients who died and was associated with longer hospital stay (p=0,023). Strategies specifically targeting infection control, such as knowledge of the service epidemiology, permanent training of the staff, and development of new works, may reduce morbidity and mortality rates related to this form of treatment.