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Microbiology for the Critically Ill Patient Receiving Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract

  • Conference paper
Infection in the Critically Ill: an Ongoing Challenge

Part of the book series: Topics in Anaesthesia and Critical Care ((TIACC))

  • 71 Accesses

Abstract

Infections in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) develop mainly endogenously, and are less frequently exogenous: they are almost invariably preceded by oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal carriage of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) [1]. Carriage and subsequent overgrowth of PPMs in the alimentary canal are the first steps in the pathogenesis of endogenous infections; migration of PPMs into the internal organs (e.g., lower airways, bladder) may result in colonization and, eventually, infection. “Community” and “hospital” PPMs carried by the patient upon admission are the causative agents of primary endogenous infections, while “hospital” PPMs acquired by the patient during the ICU stay are responsible for secondary endogenous infections. Exogenous infections are caused mainly by hospital PPMs not carried by the patient at all [1].

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Authors
  1. L. Silvestri
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  2. F. Fontana
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  3. H. K. F. van Saene
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  4. A. J. Petros
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Microbiology/Infection Control, Royal Liverpool Children’s NHS, Liverpool, UK

    H. K. F. van Saene

  2. Department of Surgery/Division of Organ Transplantation, Catholic University, University Hospital Agostino Gemelli and CNR Centro Studi Fisiopatologia Shock, Rome, Italy

    G. Sganga

  3. Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Gorizia Hospital, Gorizia, Italy

    L. Silvestri

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© 2001 Springer-Verlag Italia, Milano

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Silvestri, L., Fontana, F., van Saene, H.K.F., Petros, A.J. (2001). Microbiology for the Critically Ill Patient Receiving Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract. In: van Saene, H.K.F., Sganga, G., Silvestri, L. (eds) Infection in the Critically Ill: an Ongoing Challenge. Topics in Anaesthesia and Critical Care. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2242-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2242-3_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0138-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2242-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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