Chemotherapy-Induced Opportunistic Infection Among Cancer Patients Treated in the Oncology Unit of the Main Tertiary Hospital in the Maldives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62338/q4gwha68Keywords:
Cancer, Chemotherapy, Opportunistic Infections, NeutropeniaAbstract
This study aimed to determine the significant relationship between cytotoxic chemotherapy and opportunistic infections (OIs) in cancer patients. This cross-sectional study used census sampling to include 101 patients receiving chemotherapy at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Maldives, from 1 January 2022 to 30 November 2023. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, with Pearson’s chi-squared test used to assess associations between OIs and clinical variables. No significant association was found with demographics or comorbidities. However, OIs were significantly associated with neutropenia, advanced cancer stage, combined chemotherapy increased number of cycles, prolonged treatment duration, and use of invasive devices. Neutropenia occurred in 42.57% (n=43) of patients, and 15.84% (n=16) developed OIs during the nadir period. Bacterial infections were most common, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the predominant pathogen. Theses findings highlight the importance of monitoring immunosuppression, treatment intensity, and procedural risks to reduced OIs in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
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