title: Viridans streptococcal bacteraemia in patients with haematological and solid malignancies.
abstract: Thirty-three episodes of septicaemia caused by viridans streptococci are reported in 32 adults under treatment for malignant diseases. The underlying diseases were acute leukaemia (17), lymphoma (4), myeloma (1), small cell carcinoma of the bronchus (6), carcinoma of the breast (2) and carcinoma of the stomach (2). Important predisposing factors included severe neutropenia and oral mucositis due to intensive chemotherapeutic regimens. There was a poor response to standard empirical antibiotics and a mortality of 12%. A role for prophylactic penicillin in high risk groups is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute, Manchester, U.K.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Burden
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Oppenheim
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crowther
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Morgenstern
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Scarffe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thatcher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents