Risks for infection in patients with myelodysplasia and acute leukemia

Purpose of review\r\nAim of the present review is to analyze the main parameters that may influence the onset of bacterial,\r\nfungal and viral infections in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia and acute\r\nlymphoid leukemia.\r\nRecent findings\r\nThe identification of factors influencing the onset of infections in high-risk patients is becoming one of the most\r\nimportant strategies to identify those patients who would really benefit from prophylactic and timely treatment.\r\nDuring the past few years several studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of risk factors\r\nthat may influence both the onset and the outcome of infections. The role of some of them is well defined\r\n(i.e. neutropenia, central venous catheters), whereas other factors are now emerging as new possible\r\ncausative factors (i.e. iron overload, hospitalization).\r\nSummary\r\nMany factors have to be considered when evaluating the infectious risk in hematological patients. In current\r\nclinical practice the good knowledge of them may favor a better management of infectious risk, with a\r\nreduction of mortality rate.