OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of urine sediment analyzer in the screening of clinically suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) in cancer patients.

METHODSThe results of bacterial count of 1 053 midstream urine samples by UF-1000i urine sediment analyzer (UF-1000i urine sediment analyzer, UF-1000i) were compared with the results of bacterial culture. Moreover, the results of distinguishing bacterial species by the bacterial scattergram were compared with the results of bacteria culture. At the same time, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of UF-1000i analyzer for UTI screening were evaluated.

RESULTSOf all the 1 053 samples, the top three bacteria were E. coli, Enterococci and P. aeruginosa. The top three malignant tumors of UTI were bladder, lung cancer and cervical cancers. The positive rate of UF-1000i analyzer was 20% (211/1 053), and that of bacteria culture was 17.9% (188/1 053). There was statistically no significant difference in the positive rates between the two methods (χ(2)=1.636, P>0.05), and the two methods had a considerable consistency (Kappa=0.756). Compared with the clinical diagnosis, UTI screening by UF-1000i analyzer showed a sensitivity of 79.6% (160/201), specificity of 95.5% (814/852), positive predictive value of 80.8% (160/198) and negative predictive value of 95.2%(814/855). The distribution of cocci and bacilli acquired by the bacterial scattergram was basically in accordance with the results of bacterial culture.

CONCLUSIONSBacterial count by UF-1000i analyzer plays an important role in early screening of UTI, and the bacterial scattergram may help to distinguish bacterial species, providing reference for the use of antibiotics in early medication.

Bacterial Load ; Enterococcus ; isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung Neoplasms ; urine ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; isolation & purification ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; urine ; Urinary Tract Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; urine ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; urine

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection and the risk factors for acquisition of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) among cancer patients who received chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

METHODSWe analyzed 277 stool samples from cancer patients with diarrhea between Sep 2010 and Dec 2011 in our hospital. Stool C. difficile toxin A/B test, stool culture for C. difficile and routine stool examination were performed. In addition, the risk factors for CDAD were investigated in a set of 41 C. difficile toxin-positive cancer patients and 82 matched C. difficile toxin-negative controls by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.

RESULTSOut of a total of 277 cancer patients with diarrhea, 41 (14.8%) were C. difficile toxin-positive. Among these 41 cases, 11 (26.8%, 11/41) were C. difficile culture-positive. Univariate analysis showed that antibiotics use (P = 0.853), proton pump inhibitor use (P = 0.718), hypoproteinemia (P = 0.139) and white blood cell count (P = 0.454) did not appear to be associated with acquisition of CDAD in cancer patients. However, receiving chemotherapy (P = 0.023), receiving radiotherapy (P = 0.003), a positive fecal occult blood test result (P = 0.005) and the presence of fecal leukocytes (P = 0.007) showed close association with acquisition of CDAD in cancer patients. Multivariate analysis showed that receiving chemotherapy (OR, 8.308; 95% CI, 1.997-34.572; P = 0.004) and a positive result of fecal occult blood test (OR, 8.475; 95% CI, 1.463-49.109; P = 0.017) were independent risk factors for acquisition of CDAD among cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONSOur results support that receiving chemotherapy and a positive fecal occult blood test result are independent risk factors for acquisition of CDAD among cancer patients. Cancer patients who are at high-risk for CDAD should take stool C. difficile toxin A/B test and stool culture for C. difficile regularly and prevention of CDAD.

Clostridium difficile ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Risk Factors