Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Journal
Volume 11, Issue 1
January, 2026
Pattern of Blood Culture Positivity and Associated Clinical Characteristics in Febrile Neutropenic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
*Rahman M,1 Sultana R,2 Pinki SN,3 Azad MK,4 Hassan MK,5 Sharmeen Lipi SS6
| Abstract Background: Febrile neutropenia constitutes a medical emergency due to the heightened risk of bloodstream infection and rapid clinical deterioration. Patterns of causative organisms vary across institutions, underscoring the importance of local epidemiological data to guide empirical therapy. Objective: This study aimed to determine the pattern of blood culture positivity and its association with clinical characteristics among febrile neutropenic adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 adult patients with documented febrile neutropenia admitted to a Tertiary Hospital from October 2022 to September 2023. Blood samples were obtained under aseptic conditions and processed for aerobic culture. Clinical and hematologic parameters were recorded using a structured data sheet. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Blood cultures were positive in 15 patients (30%). Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 53.3% of isolates, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being the most frequent pathogen. Gram-negative organisms represented 46.7% of isolates, predominantly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No significant associations were observed between culture positivity and age, gender, fever duration, temperature, hemoglobin, WBC, ANC, platelet count, or ESR. Patients receiving chemotherapy showed no significant difference in positivity rate compared to those not receiving chemotherapy. All Gram-positive isolates were fully sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid, whereas Gram-negative isolates showed inconsistent susceptibility patterns to carbapenems and antipseudomonal antibiotics. Conclusion: In febrile neutropenic patients, Gram-positive bacteria were the leading cause of bloodstream infections, although Gram-negative pathogens continued to play a significant clinical role. These findings highlight the need for institution-specific surveillance to guide empirical antibiotic therapy. |
[Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Med Col J 2026, Jan; 11 (1):94-101]
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.69699/ssnimcj.2026.11.1.13
Keywords: Febrile neutropenia, blood culture, Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria.
- *Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Associate Professor (in situ), Department of Medicine, Shaheed Sayed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh. mizan59dmc@yahoo.com
- Dr. Rebeka Sultana, Junior Consultant (CC), Directorate General Health Services (OSD), Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Dr. Sumaiya Nousheen Pinki, Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology, Holy Family Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration), Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dr. Md. Kamrul Hassan, Associate Consultant, Department of Hematology, Ahsania Mission Cancer and General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dr. Shahnaz Sharmeen Lipi, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College, Kishorganj, Bangladesh
*For correspondence