Aeromonas bacteremia in patients with hematologic diseases

Over a 23-year period, 17 patients with hematologic diseases developed Aeromonas bacteremia while in our hematology ward, Male predominance (14 patients, 82%) was seen, with a predilection for the elderly, Hematologic malignancies, especially acute leukemia, accounted for 15 (88%) of all patients, Cancer chemotherapy and neutropenia (15 patients each) were the most common preceding host conditions, Aeromonas bacteremia generally occurred in the second half of the year (July-December), with no exposure to water or fish, Seven recent isolates comprised Aeromonas sobria (five isolates) and Aeromonas hydrophila (two isolates), Twelve patients (71%) showed a clinical picture ranging from mild gastroenteritis to severe enterocolitis. Anorectal and hepatobiliary infections mere also noted in a few patients, The overall mortality rate was 35%, Ten (77%) of the 13 patients who were treated with aminoglycoside plus cephalosporin or carbapenem survived in association with marrow recovery.