Clinical features and risk factors for development of Bacillus bacteremia among adult patients with cancer: a case-control study.

PURPOSE

Bacillus species have been frequently reported in recent decades as true pathogens among cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and risk factors of Bacillus bacteremia among adult patients with cancer.

METHODS

A case-control study was performed to identify the risk factors of Bacillus bacteremia among adult patients with cancer at a 1,950-bed tertiary care university hospital. Electronic medical records were reviewed for individuals who were diagnosed with Bacillus bacteremia during the period of January 1995 through December 2012. Each case was matched to two controls with cancer and non-Bacillus bacteremia. Logistic regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for Bacillus bacteremia development.

RESULTS

A total of 86 patients with Bacillus bacteremia were included and compared with 172 control patients. The presence of a central venous catheter and use of extended-spectrum cephalosporin within 1 month were identified to be independent risk factors for the development of Bacillus bacteremia. Hospital stays longer than 14 days, a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and prior use of glycopeptides had a negative association.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a central venous catheter and prior use of extended-spectrum cephalosporin within 1 month were independent risk factors for the development of Bacillus bacteremia in adult cancer patients.