Infections in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Introduction: Infection is a major complication in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Newly diagnosed patients are at high risk of developing infection caused by encapsulated bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophylus influenzae. Method and Results: However, once treat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mariana Guarana, Marcio Nucci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-07-01
Series:Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2531137923001086
Description
Summary:Introduction: Infection is a major complication in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Newly diagnosed patients are at high risk of developing infection caused by encapsulated bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophylus influenzae. Method and Results: However, once treatment is initiated, the spectrum of pathogens causing infection broadens, depending on the treatment regimens. With disease progression, cumulative immunosuppression occurs as a consequence of multiple treatment lines and the risk of infection further increases. On the other hand, the use of targeted therapies in the treatment of CLL have brought new risks of infection, with an increased incidence of invasive fungal diseases, particularly aspergillosis, in patients receiving Bruton kinase inhibitors. Conclusion: In this article, we review the epidemiology of infection in patients with CLL, taking into account the treatment regimen, and briefly discuss the management of infection.
ISSN:2531-1379