Alterations of host defenses: the key to the multifaceted spectrum of infections in immunocompromised patients.
Patients with cancer are subject to bacterial infections because of a variety of specific defects. Patients may suffer increased susceptibility to infection by virtue of the invasiveness and obstructiveness of their basic malignancy as well as because of malignant processes directly involved in the hematopoietic and lymphoid systems. Also, the potent therapeutic modalities useful in treating malignant disease carry with them an associated suppression of bone marrow and lymphoid functions which can also result in increased bacterial infection. Physicians caring for patients with cancer must be aware of the potential preventive measures, such as careful handwashing, use of laminar air flow units, partial gut decontamination, and possible use of vaccines and antibodies to minimize infection in their patients.
Glauser
M P
MP
Départment of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000502:physiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D003428:Cross Infection; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy