Use of fluoroquinolones as prophylactic agents in patients with neutropenia.
BACKGROUND
The use of fluorinated quinolone antibiotics to selectively decontaminate the gastrointestinal tract is a reasonable alternative to prevent infection in neutropenic patients. The fluoroquinolones represent ideal antibiotics with which to achieve the principles of selective decontamination by allowing colonization of anaerobes to inhibit the adherence, colonization and proliferation of potentially pathogenic aerobic flora.


OBJECTIVE
This report describes the prophylactic use of fluoroquinolones in neutropenic patients.


RESULTS
The majority of studies of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis in neutropenic patients have shown a reduction in documented Gram-negative bacterial infections. However, Gram-positive infections, particularly those with viridans streptococci, present a major impediment to the use of single agent prophylaxis with a quinolone.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylaxis with fluoroquinolones in neutropenic patients was found to be advantageous, but it must be balanced against the risk of Gram-positive infections and the potential for antibiotic resistance.
Patrick
C C
CC
Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. Christian.Patrick@STJUDE.ORG
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000382:microbiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin