Case study on central line infection in a haematology-oncology patient
Abstract:
Haemato-oncological patients are susceptible to infections due to aplasia. We describe an adolescent with a history of a relapse precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, who experienced a second leukaemia after CAR-T-cell therapy with a lineage switch to acute myeloid leukaemia. He experienced events of central-line associated bloodstream infections with Bacillus species, requiring long-term broad spectrum antibiotics, central venous line replacements and removal of a port catheter. We identified a commercially available ‘synbiotic spray’, containing Bacillus strains as the likely source of contamination. We advocate for public health warnings regarding using household probiotic cleaning products in environments with immunocompromized individuals.
Reference:
Messiaen J, Saegeman V, Depypere M, Cossey V, Renard M, Schuermans A. Central line infections in a haematology-oncology patient associated with Bacillus containing cleaning spray. J Hosp Infect. 2025 Oct 9:S0195-6701(25)00292-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2025.09.007. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41075837.