INFECTIONS IN HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES - AN AUTOPSY STUDY OF 72 CASES

Autopsy material from 72 patients with haematological malignancies tre ated in India was reviewed. Thirty-seven patients (51%) had documented infections; 20 (27%) had bacterial infections, 14 of which were Gram- negative organisms (Pseudomonas species in 10); tuberculosis was prese nt in 2 patients (2.7%). Twenty-one patients (29%) had systemic fungal infections; invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and gastrointestinal can didiasis were present in 10 patients each. Only 3 patients (4%) had vi ral infection all of which were due to cytomegalovirus. Eleven patient s (15%) had polymicrobial infections. No patient had any parasitic inf ection. Systemic fungal infections due to Aspergillus and Candida pred ominated, while Gram-negative bacterial infections were also common.