Prevention and treatment of infections in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Infections have a significant impact on the clinical course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and are the leading cause of patients’ death. Severe and recurrent infections are associated with impaired immunity connected with the pathogenesis of the disease, older age of patients and immunosuppressive therapy. The infections caused by encapsulated bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae) dominate in untreated patients, while in patients under therapy, infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria such as: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, opportunistic infections are also frequent. It is important not only to treat the infections, but also their appropriate prevention. The article discusses various methods for prevention of infections, including vaccinations.