Severe novel influenza A (H1N1) infection in cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
The natural history and consequences of severe H1N1 influenza infection among cancer patients are not yet fully characterized. We describe eight cases of H1N1 infection in cancer patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a referral cancer center.


METHODS
Clinical data from all patients admitted with acute respiratory failure due to novel viral H1N1 infection were reviewed. Lung tissue was submitted for viral and bacteriological analyses by real-time RT-PCR, and autopsy was conducted on all patients who died.


RESULTS
Eight patients were admitted, with ages ranging from 55 to 65 years old. There were five patients with solid organ tumors (62.5%) and three with hematological malignancies (37.5%). Five patients required mechanical ventilation and all died. Four patients had bacterial bronchopneumonia. All deaths occurred due to multiple organ failure. A milder form of lung disease was present in the three cases who survived. Lung tissue analysis was performed in all patients and showed diffuse alveolar damage in most patients. Other lung findings were necrotizing bronchiolitis or extensive hemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
H1N1 viral infection in patients with cancer can cause severe illness, resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. More data are needed to identify predictors of unfavorable evolution in these patients.
Hajjar
L A
LA
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care.
Mauad
T
T
Department of Pathology, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Galas
F R B G
FRBG
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care.
Kumar
A
A
Department of Section of Critical Care Medicine, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.
da Silva
L F F
LFF
Department of Pathology, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Dolhnikoff
M
M
Department of Pathology, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Trielli
T
T
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care.
Almeida
J P
JP
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care.
Borsato
M R L
MRL
Department of Pathology, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Abdalla
E
E
Department of Infectious Diseases.
Pierrot
L
L
Department of Infectious Diseases.
Kalil Filho
R
R
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care.
Auler
J O C
JOC
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care.
Saldiva
P H N
PHN
Department of Pathology, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Hoff
P M
PM
Department of Oncology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: hoffpaulo@yahoo.com.
D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index