Theaim of the study was to identify the diagnosis features and origin of the infectious complications in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Our observational study enrolled 82 patients (pts) with different CLL phases, who were managed at the Institute of Oncology of Moldova from 2000 to 2022. The pts age ranged between 45-86 years (median age 66.2 years). There were 47 (57.3%) males and 35 (42.7%) females. The diagnosis was proved by histopathological, immunohistochemical, cytological and immunophenotyping examinations. We used IWCLL criteria on a basis of lymphoid cells rate in the blood count and bone marrow aspirate.

Accordingto Binet classification, stage A was revealed in 54 (65.9%) pts, stage B – in 28 (34.1%). Infectious complications developed in 36 (43.9%) cases. Respiratory bacterial infections were diagnosed in 29 (80.6%) pts, commonly comprised the relapses of chronic bronchitis - in 11 (30.6%) and acute pneumonia - in 10 (27.8%). Herpetic infection was diagnosed in 2 (5.6%) cases. Other infectious complications included nephro-urinary tract in 3 (8.2%) pts and acute otitis in 2 (5.6%). Fatal outcomes occurred in 16 (19.5%) pts, including 6 (37.5%) with infections, 5 (31.3%) with CLL progression.

The infectious complications proved to be the common manifestations and causes of death in CLL, especially in stage B.