The clinical impact of early Gram-positive bacteremia and the use of vancomycin after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Background. Gram-positive bacteremia (GPB) is an increasing infection after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Our purpose was to identify risk factors for GPB, to evaluate its impact on early mortality and morbidi ty, and to compare prophylactic with empirical intravenous vancomycin. Methods and Results. We studied 89 consecutive BMTs in adult patients. Earl y GPB occurred in 29% of posttransplantation episodes. T-cell depletion (od ds ratio [OR]: 0.18) and vancomycin-prophylaxis (OR: 0.28) reduced the risk of GPB. Mortality at 6 weeks was not significantly different in patients w ith GPB (15% vs. 9.5%, P=0.669). GPB was associated with the development of major complications, the use of amphotericin B, and prolonged neutropenia. Vancomycin prophylaxis led to an increased risk of early renal dysfunction (OR: 18.7)., Conclusion. GPB contributes to overall morbidity during the early post-BMT episode but has no impact on mortality. Vancomycin prophylaxis is effective to reduce GPB but-has a negative effect on renal function.