Abstract: Objective To investigate the distribution features and antibiotic drug resistance of infection pathogens isolated from elderly patients with malignancies complicated with infection following treatment in an open hematology ward. Methods From January 2010 to June 2012, specimens from hospitalized elderly patients with concurrent infection were cultured to isolate infection pathogens through routine methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by microdilution method. Results A total of 302 strains of infection pathogens were isolated from all detected samples, among which isolated strains of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi were 194, 91 and 17 strains, respectively. Isolated fungi were mostly susceptible to antifungal drugs. Gram-negative bacteria were highly susceptible to carbapenem, while Gram-positive bacteria were most sensitive to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Conclusions  The nosocomial infection pathogens of elderly patients with malignancies in hematology ward are most likely Gram-negative bacteria. Before specimens culture results and susceptibility are known, all these patients should be empirically treated with broad spectrum antibiotics, which have the most activity against Gram-negative bacteria as well as Gram-positive bacteria coverage.

Key words: Hematologic neoplasms, Aged, Bacteria, Fungi, Anti-infective agents