Spectrum of bacteremia in posthematopoietic stem cell transplant patients from an Indian center.

BACKGROUND: Despite the relatively low prevalence of Gram-positive bacteremic infections in Indian oncology patients, glycopeptides are extensively used for empirical management of febrile neutropenia. Our aim was to analyze the spectrum of bacteremia in posthematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients in our center and make a recommendation on glycopeptide use in this patient population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of bacteremic data from HSCT recipients in a tertiary care oncology and transplant center from South India, between 2011 and 2013.

RESULTS: In 217 patients, 52 bacteremic episodes were identified. The majority of the isolates were Gram-negatives (88.4%) with very few Gram-positives (7.69%).

CONCLUSION: Glycopeptides need not be included in the empirical antibiotic regimen in post-HSCT settings with very low Gram-positive infection rates.