title: Colistin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for the prevention of infection in patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia. Decrease in the emergence of resistant bacteria.
abstract: In a previous study we demonstrated that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole decreases the prevalence of infection in patients with severe granulocytopenia. However, treatment was accompanied by a relatively high incidence of multiresistant microorganisms. We therefore conducted this study to determine whether the addition of colistin to the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimen prevents the emergence of these resistant bacteria. Thirty consecutive adult patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole plus colistin p.o. prophylactically. The results of this study were compared with the results of our previously published controlled study. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole plus colistin was as effective as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in preventing infection. However, the addition of colistin significantly reduced the acquisition of and infection by gram-negative bacilli which were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Only two patients were colonized with resistant strains, and no infections with these strains were observed. We have concluded that patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia should receive a combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole plus colistin prophylactically during remission induction treatment.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003091:Colistin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole; D003091:Colistin