Opportunistic Gram-Negative Bacillary Infections in Leukemia

Abstract

A high percentage of patients with acute leukemia succumb to infections before completing an adequate course of cancer chemotherapy. The majority of infections are produced by Gram-negative bacilli whose pathogenicity in other circumstances is low. The organisms may invade the oral mucosa at sites of local trauma and precipitate extensive cellulitis and bacteremia. This article describes the clinical characteristics and treatment of the oral lesions.