Lung Cancer and bronchial infection

Infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of death (35-70%) in lung cancer patients. We assessed the relationship between lung cancer and infection of the bronchial tree by broncho lavage using fibrobronchoscopy (FBS); among patients with lung cancer and pulmonary infection (A: n=29), patients with lung cancer (B n=85) and patients with pulmonary infections only (C: n=16). 183 patients undergoing diagnostic FBS with sampling for microbiological examination by bronchial lavage and for cytology/histology by biopsy, brushing or needle aspiration was enrolled. Pathogenic microorganisms were isolated in 25.4% of neoplastic patients. There was a statistically significant increase (p 0.028) of the white blood cells in the group A than in B. In group A the most frequent pathogen was the Aspergillus (18.9%) with a statistically significant prevalence compared to group C (0%) (p = 0.035). In group C the most frequent isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli (16.6%). Undifferentiated carcinoma was the histological type with a higher proportion of infections (40%). In group A the most commonly affected lobe was the right upper (37.8%), followed by the left upper (18,9%). The most frequently germ found in hospitalized cancer patients (15 pts) was the Aspergillus (29.4%) while Escherichia coli (20%) was more frequent in not hospitalized patients (14 pts). Aspergillus (21.7%) was the most frequent microorganism in patients with central lesions (16 pts) whereas Candida (21.4%) in per...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Respiratory Infections Source Type: research