Antibiotic resistance in cancer patients.
Bacterial infection is one of the most frequent complications in cancer patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. In recent years, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance has become a significant problem worldwide, and cancer patients are among those affected. Treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria represents a clinical challenge, especially in the case of Gram-negative bacilli, since the therapeutic options are often very limited. As the antibiotics active against MDR bacteria present several disadvantages (limited clinical experience, higher incidence of adverse effects, and less knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of the drug), a thorough acquaintance with the main characteristics of these drugs is mandatory in order to provide safe treatment to cancer patients with MDR bacterial infections. Nevertheless, the implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs and infection control measures is the cornerstone for controlling the development and spread of these MDR pathogens.
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain.
Carlota
C
Gudiol
Jordi
J
Carratalà
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
antibiotic resistance; antibiotic therapy; bacterial infection; cancer; mortality; neutropenia; prognosis