Objective To analyze the clinical features of intestinal infection in patients with acute leukemia (AL) after chemotherapy. Methods The data of 103 cases of AL patients after chemotherapy from January 2014 to April 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, and categorical variables were compared by using chi-square test. Results A total of 364 cycles of chemotherapy was conducted among 103 patients, of which 66 times (18.13 %) in 59 cycles occurred intestinal infections, including twice intestinal infections in one cycle of chemotherapy in 7 cases. The incidence of intestinal infection was 27.48%(36/131) in group without complete remission (CR), and 9.87%(23/233) in CR group. There was a statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.01). Repeated intestinal infections were found in 46.67%of the patients who accepted multiple cycles of chemotherapy. In the same cycle of chemotherapy, the probability of recurrence of intestinal infection after chemotherapy was 3.7 times than patients without intestinal infection occurred during chemotherapy. The incidence of intestinal infection of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after primary inducing chemotherapy was higher than that of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) (P= 0.019). The incidence of intestinal infection combined with neutropenic was 9.89 % (36/364), and the incidence of intestinal infection was 8.24 % (30/364) in neutrophils > 0.5 × 109/L. There was no significant difference (P> 0.05). After chemotherapy, some patients with intestinal infection occurred acute abdomen, with high mortality rate. Conclusions Intestinal infection may occur in the procession of chemotherapy and myelosuppression. Special attention should be paid on intestinal infection, including reduction of blood stream infection and risk factors, as well as timely intervention.

Pure white cell aplasia (PWCA) is a rare hematologic disorder. In this case study, a 67-year-old man presented with severe neutropenia along with thymoma and lung cancer. A comprehensive diagnostic approach was done which included routine blood test, bone marrow cytology, bone marrow pathology, flow cytometry, and thymic pathology. Other potential causes, such as pure red blood cell aplasia and myelodysplastic syndrome, were ruled out. The final diagnosis was determined to be thymoma-related PWCA. Continuous treatment with human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was ineffective for treating PWCA in this patient. The patient's white blood cell and neutrophil count increased following treatment with cyclosporine and subsequently returned to normal levels by the 8th day after thymectomy. A recurrence of PWCA was identified 40 days after the operation and coincided with COVID-19 infection. The patient eventually succumbed to a severe infection. Therefore, in cases of severe neutropenia with an unclear etiology, prompt evaluation of mediastinal and bone marrow status is imperative.