FUSOBACTERIUM-NUCLEATUM, A NEW INVASIVE PATHOGEN IN NEUTROPENIC PATIENTS

Three chemotherapy-induced neutropenic hematologic patients with sever e systemic infection caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Gram-negativ e anaerobic rod, are described. Anaerobic infections are not very comm on in this patient category, but in a short period of time, several su ch patients were seen. The infection was considered to be caused by a combination of chemotherapy-induced mucositis, which served as a porta l of entry for the systemic infection, and the antibiotic regime used in these patients. This is a serious infection with a high mortality. In hematological neutropenic patients suffering from severe mucositis and fever, antibiotic therapy should cover anaerobic bacteria.