Mori et al reviewed infections in cancer patients caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella species. The authors are from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Risk factors for infection in a cancer patient:
(1) hematologic malignancy (leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplasia)
(2) gastrointestinal malignancy
(3) genitourinary malignancy
(4) hematopoietic stem cell transplant
(5) neutropenia and/or lymphopenia
(6) reduced gastric acid secretion
(7) immunosuppression
(8) active chemotherapy
(9) exposure to contaminated food
Infection can occur despite antibiotic prophylaxis.
Common presentations:
(1) invasive disease (muscle abscess, pneumonia)
(2) sepsis or septic shock
(3) acute gastroenteritis
(4) urinary tract infection
Early, appropriate antibiotic therapy may decrease mortality.Relapse may occur more often in patients treated <= 10 days.
