INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS OF NEOPLASTIC DISEASES IN THE CRITICAL CARE UNIT

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1986. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS OF NEOPLASTIC DISEASES IN THE CRITICAL CARE UNIT

Critical Care of the Cancer Patient. Howland WS, Carlon GC, eds. Chicago, Year Book Medical Publishers, p. 261-74, 1985.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/86622694
Gold JW; Infectious Disease Service, Microbiology Lab., Memorial; Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Abstract: Patients (pts) with neoplastic diseases have many defects in host defenses which increase their susceptibility to infection. Infections are both more common and more severe than in people with normal immune systems. Infections are also common complications in pts who are treated in intensive care units for other problems. This is due both to the increased susceptibility of these pts and to the critical care unit environment. Cancer and cancer therapy are associated with a variety of threats to host defenses against infection, including neutropenia, diminished T lymphocyte-mononuclear function, splenectomy, and disruption of the integument by diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Each type of defect in immune function and each procedure is associated with an increased risk of infection by certain microorganisms. Neutropenia is the most common immunologic defect in cancer pts. The treatment and prevention of infection in immunosuppressed pts with neoplasia are discussed for the following symptom complexes: pneumonias, CNS infections, skin infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections, and bacteremias. (37 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY B-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY Human Immune Tolerance Infection/*ETIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY/THERAPY Intensive Care Units Meningitis/ETIOLOGY/THERAPY Neoplasms/*COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY Neutropenia/COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY Pneumonia/ETIOLOGY Septicemia/ETIOLOGY/THERAPY Skin Diseases, Infectious/ETIOLOGY Splenectomy/ADVERSE EFFECTS T-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY Urinary Tract Infections/ETIOLOGY MONOGRAPH

861030
M86A0331

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