Occurrence of influenza and bacterial infections in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy in Ghana

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dc.contributor.authorArjarquah, A.K.
dc.contributor.authorObodai, E.
dc.contributor.authorAnie, H.A.
dc.contributor.authorOsei, M.A.
dc.contributor.authorOdoom, J.K.
dc.contributor.authorBonney, J.H.K.
dc.contributor.authorBehene, E.
dc.contributor.authorKotey, E.N.
dc.contributor.authorAboagye, J.
dc.contributor.authorNyarko, S.O.
dc.contributor.authorBentum, J.
dc.contributor.authorYeboah, C.
dc.date.accessioned2022-08-16T14:43:04Z
dc.date.available2022-08-16T14:43:04Z
dc.date.issued2022-07
dc.descriptionResearch Articleen_US
dc.description.abstractBackground Influenza co-infection with bacteria is a leading cause of influenza-related deaths and severe respiratory infections, especially among high-risk groups like cancer patients undergoing treatment. However, acute respiratory infection (ARI)-like symptoms developed by uppertorso cancer (UTC) patients receiving radiotherapy are considered as side-effects of the radiation. Hence influenza and bacterial pathogens implicated in ARI are not investigated. Methods: This prospective cohort study examined 85 in-patients with upper-torso cancers undergoing radiotherapy at the National Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre (NRONMC) of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. Eligible patients who consented were recruited into the study from September 2018 to April 2019. Influenza viruses A and B in addition to the following bacteria species Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis and Staphylococcus aureus were detected from oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected at three different time points. Presence of respiratory pathogens were investigated by influenza virus isolation in cell culture, bacterial culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next generation sequencing (NGS) assays. Results: Of the 85 eligible participants enrolled into the study, 87% were females. Participants were 17 to 77 years old, with a median age of 49 years. Most of the participants (88%) enrolled had at least one pathogen present. The most prevalent pathogen was N. meningitidis (63.4%), followed by H. influenzae (48.8%), Influenza viruses A and B (32.9%), S. pneumoniae (32.9%) and S. aureus (12.2%). Approximately, 65% of these participants developed ARI-like symptoms. Participants with previous episodes of ARI, did not live alone, HNC and total radiation less than 50 Gy were significantly associated with ARI. All treatment forms were also significantly associated with ARI. Conclusion: Data generated from the study suggests that ARI-like symptoms observed among UTC patients receiving radiotherapy in Ghana, could be due to influenza and bacterial single and co-infections in addition to risk factors and not solely the side-effects of radiation as perceived. These findings will be prime importance for diagnosis, prevention, treatment and control for cancer patients who present with such episodes during treatment.en_US
dc.identifier.issn19326203
dc.identifier.other10.1371/journal.pone.0271877
dc.identifier.urihttp://localhost:8080/handle/123456789/38247
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherPublic Library of Scienceen_US
dc.subjectAdolescenten_US
dc.subjectAgeden_US
dc.subjectBacterial Infectionsen_US
dc.subjectCoinfectionen_US
dc.subjectFemaleen_US
dc.subjectGhanaen_US
dc.subjectInfluenzaen_US
dc.subjectNeoplasmsen_US
dc.subjectRespiratory Tract Infectionsen_US
dc.subjectStaphylococcus aureusen_US
dc.subjectStreptococcus pneumoniaeen_US
dc.titleOccurrence of influenza and bacterial infections in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy in Ghanaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens
Bacteriology Department