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Bacteria and Cancer pp 259–273Cite as

Management of Bacterial Infectious Complications in Cancer Patients

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Abstract

Serious bacterial infections occur frequently in patients with cancer, both as a result of their underlying disease and its treatment. Several factors increase the risk of bacterial infections, the foremost of which is neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] ≤500 cells/mm3). Neutropenia, however, seldom occurs alone, but is often superimposed on other risk factors, such as impaired humoral or cellular immunity, the presence of foreign medical devices, surgery, radiation, and poor nutrition. Other factors that influence the frequency and spectrum of bacterial infection include the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis, the intensity and nature of chemotherapy, and local institutional epidemiology. This chapter will focus on the management of bacterial infections in cancer patients, including infection prevention, treatment, infection control, and antimicrobial stewardship.

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Abbreviations

ANC:

Absolute neutrophil count

ESBL:

Extended-spectrum ß-Lactamases

KPC:

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase

MASCC:

Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer

MRSA:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

VRE:

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Kenneth V. I. Rolston

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  1. Kenneth V. I. Rolston
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Correspondence to Kenneth V. I. Rolston .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Vinay Nagar 2C, Gwalior, 474012, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Abdul Arif Khan

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Rolston, K.V.I. (2012). Management of Bacterial Infectious Complications in Cancer Patients. In: Khan, A. (eds) Bacteria and Cancer. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2585-0_12

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