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Lactobacillus species as emerging pathogens in neutropenic patients

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Abstract

The intensive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the context of prolonged and severe neutropenia has contributed to the emergence of unusual pathogens. Four new cases of severeLactobacillus infections — three of septicemia and one of pneumonia — are reported. They occurred in patients with acute leukemia who had chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. All patients were treated in the same intensive care unit and received the same antimicrobial prophylaxis which included a total bowel decontamination containing vancomycin. The four patients were treated with a combination of intravenous ceftazidime and vancomycin prior to the development ofLactobacillus infection. Improvement in the condition of all patients was obtained with a treatment including penicillin and concurrent recovery of granulopoiesis.

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Fruchart, C., Salah, A., Gray, C. et al. Lactobacillus species as emerging pathogens in neutropenic patients. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 16, 681–684 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708560

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708560

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