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Infection prevention in patients with cancer: microbiological evaluation of portable laminar air flow isolation, topical chlorhexidine, and oral non-absorbable antibiotics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

A. S. D. Spiers ,
Sylvia F. Dias  and
J. A. Lopez
A. S. D. Spiers
Affiliation:
Section of Medical Oncology, Evans Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Boston University Medical Centre, 75 East Newton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, U. S. A.
Sylvia F. Dias
Affiliation:
Section of Medical Oncology, Evans Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Boston University Medical Centre, 75 East Newton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, U. S. A.
J. A. Lopez
Affiliation:
Section of Medical Oncology, Evans Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Boston University Medical Centre, 75 East Newton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, U. S. A.
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Summary

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The increasing use of intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy for patients with solid tumors enhances the risk of opportunistic infection to levels formerly seen only in patients with acute leukaemia, and prevention of infection is a major concern. A relatively simple regimen of isolation, topical antisepsis, and orally administered non-absorbable antibiltics was stuidied in 18 patients. Sixteen of 21 studies were performed using portable laminar ait flow apparatus and five with isolation only. All patients became severly neutropenic but there were no major infections. Microbiological results showed effective decontamination of the skin, which was maintained without recolonization or acquisition of new organisms. The ears, nose and throat were effectively decontaminated only when the regimen was intensified. Colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major pathogen in compromised hosts, did not occur. The propective regimen is less expensive than regimens previously desribed, is acceptable to patients, and requires no modification of existing hospital rooms. It merits further evaluation in patients with common cancers who receive intensive cytotoxic drug therapy.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 84 , Issue 3 , June 1980 , pp. 457 - 465
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

References

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