title: Infections in patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy for germ cell tumours.
abstract: 25 patients with disseminated germ cell tumours were treated with high-dose cisplatin and etoposide (40 mg/m2 and 200 mg/m2 daily x five, respectively) leading to severe myelosuppression. A comprehensive study was undertaken in order to identify and describe the bacterial, viral and fungal infections in this group of patients. Fever (> 38.5 degrees C) and leucopenia (white blood cell count < 1.0 x 10(9)/l) were observed in 61 of 90 treatment cycles (68%). A microbiological aetiology compatible with the clinical manifestations of infection could be identified in 33 of the 61 febrile episodes (54%). Bacteraemia occurred in 14 episodes in 12 patients. Eight episodes (57%) involved gram-positive aerobic bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology ONK, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Daugaard
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bruun
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Geertsen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schønheyder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018237:Germinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin