Nosocomial Infection among Immunosuppressed Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Advances in technology and development of multidrug-resistant antibiotics have increased the number of immunosuppressed patients in need of crisis care and the incidence of nosocomial infection in the nation's hospitals. Nosocomial infections are proving particularly difficult to prevent in intensive care units (ICUs), where special care must be taken to avoid transmission of any infection. The authors present an overview of this problem in the ICU, outlining basic measures to be taken in preventing nosocomial infections and ensuring the safety of the patients.

The dynamics of acute inflammation

“…Similarly, a down-regulated immune response to Helicobacter pylori bacteria has been suggested to result in its persistent colonization of the human stomach (Kirschner and Blaser, 1995). In the clinical setting, patients in the ICU with decreased host defenses are susceptible to hospitalacquired infections (Schultz et al, 2001). These infections which may be easily resolved in a healthy individual might result in unresolved inflammation and prove fatal to a compromised individual.…”

“…This could happen if the immune-system had already been compromised by previous infection or trauma and then the organism is reinfected. Opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections have been observed in immuno-suppressed patient populations such as HIV infected patients, the elderly and those with organ transplants (Schultz et al, 2001). These five scenarios are the only possible outcomes in the model.…”