Protected environment for cancer patients. Effect of a prophylactic antibiotic regimen on the microbial flora of patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy

A.S.P.E.N. Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support Therapy During Adult Anticancer Treatment and in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

“…Several studies have examined the role of diet and infectious risk in combination with other interventions such as isolator units and laminar airflow rooms. [174][175][176][177][178][179][180] It is hard to make comparisons between these groups because the dietary restrictions were not adequately described. One study suggested a reduced incidence of infection in patients who received a sterile diet 177 ; however, a subsequent study indicated no difference.…”

Oral dose and faecal concentration of antibiotics during antibiotic decontamination in mice and in a patient

“…The antibiotics used for decontamination are administered orally and are not or only minimally absorbed from the digestive tract. The antibiotics employed for decontamination in man are sometimes selected on the basis of a sensitivity test (Gunn & Gould, 1965) but are often selected without prior information concerning the sensitivity pattern of the patient's microflora and are supplied in empirical dosages (Schwartz & Perry, 1966;Bodey, Loftis & Bowen, 1968;Preisler, Goldstein & Henderson, 1970). In our laboratory, decontamination of animals is always preceded by a sensitivity test on their faecal microflora (van de Waaij, de Vries & Lekkerkerk, 1970).…”

Effect of systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis on microbial flora

“…A variety of prophylactic antibiotic regimens have been used, but generally these regimens have consisted of nonabsorbable antibiotics which have a profound effect on the gastrointestinal flora (2,4). However, in one study of patients with acute leukemia, a rotating regimen of parenterally administered antibiotics was as effective in reducing the frequency of infection as a nonabsorbable antibiotic regimen was (14).…”