Use of selective decontamination in the prevention of infection after accidental irradiation. A review.
Exposure to radiation induces a reduction in the number of gastrointestinal, anaerobic bacterial flora, and an increase in the number of Enterobacteriaceae that are associated with sepsis and mortality. Antimicrobials that suppress anaerobic flora have a deleterious effect on survival by promoting earlier enterobacterial sepsis. In contrast, in studies of animals and immunosuppressed patients, antimicrobials that inhibit gram-negative enteric bacteria and preserve the anaerobic flora have shown a beneficial effect by preventing bacterial translocation and fatal sepsis. The quinolone antimicrobials hold potential for therapy of endogenous and exogenous infection after irradiation.
Brook
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I
Experimental Hematology Department, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20899-5145, USA.
Ledney
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GD
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release