Evaluation of oropharyngeal infections in febrile neutropenic patients: a study of 335 episodes

Objective In neutropenic patients, mucositis can occur in the entire gastrointestinal tract, especially in the oropharynx. Disruption of mucosal integrity provides the basis for local invasion and causes it to become an important focus of infection. The aim of this study was to draw attention to the importance of oral cavity examination and evaluation of oropharyngeal infections in patients with febrile neutropenia (FN). Methods Demographic data, number of episodes, distribution of malignancies and developing oropharyngeal infections of febrile neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies in a tertiary hospital over a three-year period were evaluated. Results A total of 170 patients with 335 FN episodes were included in our study. Bacteremia was the most common microbiologically documented infection (n=92, 27.5%). the second most common infection was oropharyngeal infections (n=69, 20.1%). The most common microorganism isolated from oropharyngeal infections was fungi (n=34, 49.3%). Conclusions Oropharyngeal infections of febrile neutropenic patients may cause localized and systemic infections. Daily examination and care of the oral cavity of the patients should be done with care. The oropharyngeal flora should be closely monitored and it should be considered that the flora may also be a source in case of a possible infection