International Journal of Hematology and Oncology 2023, Vol 33, Num 4 Page(s): 113-119
Characteristics of Oropharyngeal Candida and Bacterial Colonization in Cancer Patients

Filiz C. SENLER1, Sefik CAKMAKCI1, Ozay A. AKAN2, Ahmet DEMIRKAZIK1, Hakan AKBULUT1, Fikri ICLI1

1Ankara University Medical Faculty, Medical Oncology Department, Ankara, Turkey
2Ankara University Medical Faculty, Central Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey

Keywords: Oropharyngeal colonization, Cancer, Surveillance
Changes occur in the oropharyngeal flora of the cancer patients due to disease and treatment related factors. In this study, bacterial and candidal colonizations were evaluated in 119 cancer patients from the two clinics (Ibni Sina Hospital is old clinic and Cebeci Hospital is new clinic) of the Medical Oncology Department of Ankara University Medical Faculty. Throat swabs and cultures were obtained from all patients on days 0, 4 and 7 of admission. The clinical parameters that can effect colonization like age, sex, use of steroids and antibiotics, chemotherapy, catheterization/TPN (total parenteral nutrition) procedures, ECOG performance status and number of admissions were recorded. The distribution of detected microorganisms and the differences in subsequent days were evaluated. There were no significant differences between two hospitals with regard to bacterial and candidal colonizations on the 1st, 4th and 7th days. The performance status, catheterization/TPN procedures, usage of antibiotics and chemotherapy are found to be the significant clinical parameters that can effect colonizations.