2686. strong>Bloodstream Infection Survey in High-Risk Oncology Patients (BISHOP) with Fever and Neutropenia (FN): Viridans Group Streptococcus Emerges as an Important Pathogen

BACKGROUND: In this prospective nation-wide survey of bloodstream isolates associated with first episode of FN in high-risk cancer patients from 14 US cancer centers (December 2016 and June 2018), viridans group Streptococci (VGS) were the most common Gram-positive isolate. We sought to clinically and microbiologically characterize VGS bloodstream infections (BSI). METHODS: Among 343 patients,we compared 90 with VGS vs 253 with non-VGS BSI. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for blood culture isolates were determined by broth dilution for selected agents at our reference microbiology laboratory (UNMC). Clinical data were electronically captured in RedCap, including local site isolate identification and confirmatory reference lab identification via MALDI. Categorical and continuous variables were assessed via chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, respectively. RESULTS: Ninety-two VGS isolates were identified among 90 FN patients, representing 27% of all BSI isolates. S. mitis or oralis comprised 64 (70%) of VGS. There were no differences between age, sex, and primary diagnosis (50% with AML) among the 2 groups; 1/3 were HSCT recipients. Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis was used in 64 (71%) vs. 139 (55%), P < 0.01, in VGS vs non-VGS groups. Critical illness composite (new need for pressor(s), mechanical ventilation or death within 30 days) was 6 (7%) vs. 44 (17%), P = 0.01, in the VGS vs non-VGS groups. Figure 1 displays an overview of antibiotic susceptibilities for 79 testable isolates. VGS susceptibilities to levofloxacin, penicillin, and ceftriaxone were 39%, 47%, and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSION: VGS are common pathogens in FN patients. Prior fluoroquinolone prophylaxis use may be a risk factor. VGS BSI was not associated with increased critical illness compared with non-VGS. Finally, assuming ceftriaxone susceptibility confers that of cefepime, >90% of VGS are susceptible to empiric FN cefepime regimens. [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.