Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection in patients with hematologic malignancy.
To assess outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancy and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection, we reviewed cases during June-December 2009 at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Seventeen (63%) and 10 (37%) patients had upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), respectively. Cough (85%) and fever (70%) were the most common signs; 19% of patients had nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Sixty-five percent of URTI patients were outpatients; 35% recovered without antiviral therapy. All LRTI patients were hospitalized; half required intensive care unit admission. Complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumomediastinum, myocarditis, and development of oseltamivir-resistant virus; 3 patients died. Of the 3 patients with nosocomial pandemic (H1N1) 2009, 2 died. Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 may cause serious illness in patients with hematologic malignancy, primarily those with LRTI. Rigorous infection control, improved techniques for diagnosing respiratory disease, and early antiviral therapy can prevent nosocomial transmission and optimize patient care.
University of California, San Francisco, Division of Infectious Diseases, California 94143-0654, USA. catherine.liu@ucsf.edu
Catherine
C
Liu
Brian S
BS
Schwartz
Snigdha
S
Vallabhaneni
Michael
M
Nixon
Peter V
PV
Chin-Hong
Steven A
SA
Miller
Charles
C
Chiu
Lloyd
L
Damon
W Lawrence
WL
Drew
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058873:Pandemics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons
D000998:Antiviral Agents