nystatin-a1 and Cross-Infection

Neonatal sepsis causes a huge burden of morbidity and mortality and includes bloodstream, urine, cerebrospinal, peritoneal, and lung infections as well as infections starting from burns and wounds, or from any other usually sterile sites. It is associated with cytokine - and biomediator-induced disorders of respiratory, hemodynamic, and metabolic processes. Neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit feature many specific risk factors for bacterial and fungal sepsis. Loss of gut commensals such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli spp., as occurs with prolonged antibiotic treatments, delayed enteral feeding, or nursing in incubators, translates into proliferation of pathogenic microflora and abnormal gut colonization. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment do not protect septic neonates form the risk of late neurodevelopmental impairment in the survivors. Thus prevention of bacterial and fungal infection is crucial in these settings of unique patients. In this view, improving neonatal management is a key step, and this includes promotion of breast-feeding and hygiene measures, adoption of a cautious central venous catheter policy, enhancement of the enteric microbiota composition with the supplementation of probiotics, and medical stewardship concerning H2 blockers with restriction of their use. Additional measures may include the use of lactoferrin, fluconazole, and nystatin and specific measures to prevent ventilator associated pneumonia.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Central Venous Catheters; Contraindications; Cross Infection; Fluconazole; Histamine H2 Antagonists; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Lactoferrin; Milk, Human; Nystatin; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated; Probiotics; Sepsis

Many meta-analyses have shown reductions in infection rates and mortality associated with the use of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) or selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) in intensive care units (ICUs). These interventions have not been widely implemented because of concerns that their use could lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance in pathogens. We aimed to assess the effect of SDD and SOD on antimicrobial resistance rates in patients in ICUs.. We did a systematic review of the effect of SDD and SOD on the rates of colonisation or infection with antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in patients who were critically ill. We searched for studies using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases, with no limits by language, date of publication, study design, or study quality. We included all studies of selective decontamination that involved prophylactic application of topical non-absorbable antimicrobials to the stomach or oropharynx of patients in ICUs, with or without additional systemic antimicrobials. We excluded studies of interventions that used only antiseptic or biocide agents such as chlorhexidine, unless antimicrobials were also included in the regimen. We used the Mantel-Haenszel model with random effects to calculate pooled odds ratios.. We analysed 64 unique studies of SDD and SOD in ICUs, of which 47 were randomised controlled trials and 35 included data for the detection of antimicrobial resistance. When comparing data for patients in intervention groups (those who received SDD or SOD) versus data for those in control groups (who received no intervention), we identified no difference in the prevalence of colonisation or infection with Gram-positive antimicrobial-resistant pathogens of interest, including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (odds ratio 1·46, 95% CI 0·90-2·37) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (0·63, 0·39-1·02). Among Gram-negative bacilli, we detected no difference in aminoglycoside-resistance (0·73, 0·51-1·05) or fluoroquinolone-resistance (0·52, 0·16-1·68), but we did detect a reduction in polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (0·58, 0·46-0·72) and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (0·33, 0·20-0·52) in recipients of selective decontamination compared with those who received no intervention.. We detected no relation between the use of SDD or SOD and the development of antimicrobial-resistance in pathogens in patients in the ICU, suggesting that the perceived risk of long-term harm related to selective decontamination cannot be justified by available data. However, our study indicates that the effect of decontamination on ICU-level antimicrobial resistance rates is understudied. We recommend that future research includes a non-crossover, cluster randomised controlled trial to assess long-term ICU-level changes in resistance rates.. None.

Topics: Aminoglycosides; Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Cephalosporins; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cross Infection; Decontamination; Digestive System; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Enterobacteriaceae; Europe; Fluoroquinolones; Gentamicins; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Neomycin; Nystatin; Odds Ratio; Oropharynx; Polymyxins; Prevalence; Primary Prevention; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; South Africa; Tobramycin; United States; Vancomycin

To examine recent evidence on the efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis to prevent neonatal systemic fungal infection. The review also aims to examine other relevant data, including the incidence of fungal infection, adverse effects of antifungal therapy and avoidable risk factors.. There is strong evidence that systemic fluconazole prophylaxis reduces the incidence of systemic fungal infections, with a trend towards reduction in mortality. However, the preprophylaxis incidence of fungal infection has been very high in the published studies. Fluconazole use is sometimes associated with cholestasis and there are theoretical concerns as well that prophylactic fluconazole will select for fluconazole-resistant organisms and nonalbicans Candida infections. There is reasonable evidence that oral nystatin is effective in preventing fungal infections and at the same time it is inexpensive and well tolerated. The reported incidence of systemic fungal infections is much lower in the UK than in the USA and Italy.. Oral nystatin prophylaxis is inexpensive, effective and nontoxic and should be used routinely for babies of birth weight less than 1500 g. Systemic fluconazole, which is more toxic and may select for resistant fungi, is probably only indicated when the rate of fungal infection remains high despite introducing measures targeting known risk factors for fungal infection. These measures include introducing enteral feeds early, reducing the duration of parenteral feeding, and reducing the use of broad spectrum antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins. Future studies of prophylactic fluconazole should use oral nystatin, not placebo, as the comparator.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Antifungal Agents; Cross Infection; Fluconazole; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Mycoses; Nystatin; Risk Factors

Hospital acquired infections due to fungi are primarily caused by yeast species of the genus Candida and mould species of the genus Aspergillus. Underlying disease with severely impaired defence mechanisms as well as certain forms of immunosuppressive and aggressive chemotherapy are the most important prerequisites for such secondary fungal infections. Aspergillus spec. usually infect man via exogenous routes, whereas Candida spec. mostly originate from the patient's own microbial flora. Under certain circumstances invasion of tissues follows (endomycoses). Exogenous Candida infections may likewise occur through contaminated hands of personnel and medical devices. The density of yeast cell distribution in hospital wards decreases with the distance from the primary source: the Candida infected human patient. Preventive measures protecting the patient at risk include: Permanent surveillance by routine cultural and serological examinations for the detection of an early infection of the skin, mouth, oesophagus, urinary tract, vagina and the bowel. Monitoring of patients is essential for early detection of dissemination and contributes to the control of fungal decontamination measures. Selective local decontamination is effected by the use of nonabsorbable compounds such as nystatin and amphotericin B in the gastrointestinal tract, and in oral and genital mucous membranes. Oral administration of ketoconazole has also been recommended. For the disinfection of skin appropriate chemicals are available. In the control of the environment of the endangered patient special attention must be paid to meticulous management of catheters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Amphotericin B; Aspergillus; Candida; Catheters, Indwelling; Cross Infection; Cryptococcus neoformans; Disinfection; Environmental Microbiology; Humans; Hygiene; Microbiological Techniques; Mycoses; Nystatin; Patient Isolators; Species Specificity

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Carbenicillin; Cephalothin; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross Infection; Doxycycline; Drug Combinations; Gentamicins; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Lincomycin; Middle Aged; Nystatin; Penicillin Resistance; Rifampin; Staphylococcal Infections; Tetracycline

To assess the effectiveness of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) on the control of nosocomial infection (NI) in critically ill pediatric patients.. A prospective, randomized, non-blinded and controlled clinical microbiology study.. The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary level pediatric university hospital. CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION: Patients 1 month to 14 years old, who underwent some kind of manipulation or instrumentation (mechanical ventilation, vascular cannulation, monitoring of intracranial pressure, thoracic or abdominal drainage, bladder catheterization, peritoneal dialysis, etc.) and/or presented a neurological coma requiring a stay in the PICU of 3 or more days.. Over a period of 2 years, 244 patients met the inclusion criteria; 18 patients were withdrawn because of protocol violation. The treatment group comprised 116 patients and the control group, 110 patients.. The treatment group received a triple therapy of colimycin, tobramycin and nystatin administered orally or via nasogastric tube every 6 hours. All patients with mechanical ventilation or immune-depression received decontamination treatment of the oropharyngeal cavity with hexitidine (Oraldine 0.5 mg/ml) every 6-8 hours in accordance with the PICU's conventional protocol.. Up to 10 types of nosocomial infection were diagnosed following criteria of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The severity and manipulation of the patients on admission was assessed using the therapeutic intervention scoring system (TISS) and multi-organ system failure scores (MOSF).. UNIVARIANT ANALYSIS: SDD did not significantly reduce the incidence of NI, antibiotic use, the length of stay, or mortality; although a small percentage of respiratory and urinary tract infections was detected, catheter-related bacteremia was the most common infection. MULTIVARIANT ANALYSIS: Controlling the risk factors for each child through log regression showed that SDD acted as a protective factor for more than 90% of the sample with respect to the appearance of respiratory and urinary tract infections, reducing the risk of such infections to 1/5 and 1/3, respectively.. SDD was effective in controlling respiratory and urinary tract infections in children admitted to the PICU, but it did not reduce the incidence of other types of nosocomial infection.

Topics: Adolescent; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Child; Child, Preschool; Colistin; Cross Infection; Digestive System; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hexetidine; Humans; Infant; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; Male; Multiple Organ Failure; Multivariate Analysis; Nystatin; Prospective Studies; Regression Analysis; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index; Tobramycin; Urinary Tract Infections

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of selective decontamination of the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract was conducted on 61 intubated patients in a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) to determine the impact on nosocomial pneumonia, other infections, and emergence of colonization or infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Over 8 months, 30 patients received an oral paste and solution containing polymyxin, gentamicin, and nystatin; 31 patients received a placebo paste and solution. At study entry, patients in both groups were seriously ill (mean acute physiologic score, 27.2), frequently had pulmonary infiltrates (73.8%), and were likely to be receiving systemic antibiotics (86.9%). There were no differences between study patients and control patients in these characteristics or in frequency of any nosocomial infection (50% vs. 55%), nosocomial pneumonia (27% vs. 26%), febrile days (2.3 vs. 2.0), duration of antibiotic therapy (14.0 vs. 13.4), or mortality rates (37% vs. 48%). There was no difference in infections caused by antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacilli, although a trend towards more frequent infection with gentamicin-resistant enterococci was found for study patients. Selective decontamination did not appear to be effective in our very ill medical-surgical ICU patients, although the number of patients in our trial was sufficient to detect only a 50% or greater reduction in pneumonia rates.

Topics: Colistin; Cross Infection; Decontamination; Double-Blind Method; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Male; Middle Aged; Nystatin; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Prospective Studies

A prospective, randomized study was conducted to determine if prophylactic antifungal agents prevented yeast colonization (YC) or yeast sepsis (YS), or if they diminished mortality in 292 critically ill adult (nontransplant/nonburned) surgical and trauma patients admitted to the SICU for 48 hours or longer. Patients were randomized to receive (group I) no therapy, (group II) clotrimazole 10 mg three times a day, (group III) ketoconazole 200 mg per day, or (group IV) nystatin 2 million units every 6 hours. For comparison patients were stratified by the criteria of Slotman and Burchard into high risk (> or = 3 risk factors) and low risk (< 3 risk factors). Fifty patients (17%) had yeast colonization, nine (3.1%) had yeast sepsis, and 41 (14%) died. Stepwise logistic regression analysis of yeast colonization and sepsis using the variables APACHE II scores > 10, need for ventilator support > 48 hours, and 14 risk factors (Slotman and Burchard) showed that treatment with three or more antibiotics, APACHE II > 10, and ventilatory support > 48 hours were the only three variables that were significant predictors of yeast colonization and sepsis. There was no significant difference between the four groups with regard to YC (23%, 18%, 12%, and 15%, respectively), YS (3%, 1%, 2%, and 7%, respectively), or mortality (15%, 14%, 6%, and 20%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Aged; Candida; Candidiasis; Clotrimazole; Colony Count, Microbial; Critical Illness; Cross Infection; Female; Fungemia; Humans; Incidence; Intensive Care Units; Ketoconazole; Length of Stay; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Trauma; Nystatin; Postoperative Complications; Premedication; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index

Suppression of the gut luminal aerobic flora to reduce nosocomial infections was tested in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients in a surgical intensive care unit who had persistent hypermetabolism. Forty-six patients were randomized to receive either norfloxacin, 500-mg suspension every 8 hours, together with nystatin, 1 million units every 6 hours, or matching placebo solutions administered through a nasogastric tube within 48 hours of surgical intensive care unit admission. Selective gut decontamination with the experimental therapy or placebo solutions continued for at least 5 days or until the time of surgical intensive care unit discharge. Patients were monitored with routine surveillance cultures for the development of nosocomial infections, as defined by criteria from the Centers for Disease Control. All other therapy was given as clinically indicated, including systemic antibiotics. The selective gut decontamination group experienced a significant reduction in the incidence of nosocomial infections and a reduced length of stay. However, these results were not associated with a concomitant decrease in progressive multiple organ failure syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, or mortality.

Topics: Adult; Bacteria; Candida; Critical Care; Cross Infection; Digestive System; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Incidence; Intensive Care Units; Length of Stay; Multiple Organ Failure; Norfloxacin; Nystatin; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The part that candida plays in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea was investigated in 24 elderly inpatients (mean age 74 years) who tested negative for Clostridium difficile toxin and other intestinal pathogens. 7 had intestinal overgrowth of Candida species (greater than or equal to 10(5) cfu/ml). None of the 24 matched, antibiotic-treated controls without diarrhoea had candida overgrowth. All 5 patients with diarrhoea and candida overgrowth treated with oral nystatin responded with resolution of diarrhoea and lowering of faecal counts to less than 10(4) cfu/ml within 7 days of start of antifungal therapy despite continuation of antibacterial therapy. In the other 2 patients with candida overgrowth, the diarrhoea subsided spontaneously and faecal candida counts returned to normal (less than 10(4) cfu/ml) after antibacterial agents were withdrawn. In patients without candida overgrowth, diarrhoea persisted until antibiotics were withdrawn, at a mean of 16 days after study entry.

Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Candida; Cross Infection; Diarrhea; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Feces; Female; Humans; Male; Nystatin; Prospective Studies

30 patients with acute leukaemia being treated with cytotoxic drugs were investigated in a randomised trial to determine whether oral administration of co-trimoxazole in addition to non-absorbable antibiotics would reduce the rate of infection. Three significant differences were observed between the co-trmoxazole and the control groups: (i) 15 of the 16 (94%) control patients but only 8 of the 14 (57%) patients on co-trimoxazole developed infections and required additional antibiotics intravenously; (ii) although the duration of severe neutropenia (neutrophils less than 0.1 times 10(9)/1) was similar in the two groups, control patients required intravenous antibiotics on average after 2 days of neutropenia, whereas patients receiving co-trimoxazole required these only after 12 days; and (iii) the only 2 patients who died of infection were in the control group. Prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole is important in preventing or delaying the development of infection in neutropenic patients receiving therapy for acute leukaemia.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Clinical Trials as Topic; Colistin; Cross Infection; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Framycetin; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphoid; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Middle Aged; Neutropenia; Nystatin; Prospective Studies; Research Design; Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim

Reverse isolation and prophylactic oral nonabsorbable antibiotics were evaluated among 64 consecutive noninfected adults with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia admitted for remission induction. Patients were randomly allocated to laminar air flow room reverse isolation with oral nonabsorbable antibiotics (LAF plus A), routine hospital ward care with antibiotics (W plus A), or ward care alone (W). The LAF plus A patients had a significantly decreased incidence of total infection, bacteremias, pneumonias, rectal abscesses, urinary tract infection, and pharyngitis. Infectious deaths were reduced in the LAF plus A group and the time to the first infection or to fatal infection was delayed. The W plus A patients who regularly ingested the antibiotics had a reduction in infections similar to that of the LAF plus A patients but those who could not tolerate the antibiotics had an incidence of infection comparable to the ward patients. The LAF plus A and the W plus A patients also had higher complete remission rates and longer median survival than the unprotected ward patients.

Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Air Conditioning; Air Microbiology; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Cross Infection; Environment, Controlled; Female; Gentamicins; Hospital Units; Humans; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute; Leukemia, Myeloid; Male; Middle Aged; Nystatin; Patient Isolators; Remission, Spontaneous; Urinary Tract Infections; Vancomycin; Ventilation; Virus Diseases

To determine clinical variables to distinguish invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) from colonization in patients with chronic pneumopathies with positive culture of Aspergillus spp. in respiratory samples.. Retrospective cohort study including patients with respiratory isolations of Aspergillus spp. during a period of 10 years. IPA was evaluated according to the Bulpa criteria. Clinical variables were collected and a multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out.. Eighty-three patients with isolation of Aspergillus spp. from respiratory samples were included; 68.7% (n=57) of the patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 18% (n=15) pulmonary fibrosis and 13.3% (n=11) bronchial asthma. Twenty-two patients (26.6%) had IPA. The use of fluconazole (OR 4.49; CI 95% 1.5-13.4; P=.007), severe respiratory failure (OR 4.64; CI 95% 1.46-14.72; P=.009) and hospitalization time (OR 1.05; CI 95% 1.01-1.1; P=.006) were associated with IPA.. Prior use of fluconazole, severe respiratory failure and hospitalization time are associated with IPA in patients with chronic pneumopathies with respiratory isolation of Aspergillus spp.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillus; Asthma; Bacterial Infections; Carrier State; Chronic Disease; Comorbidity; Cross Infection; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Fluconazole; Hospitals, University; Humans; Incidence; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis; Length of Stay; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Nystatin; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Respiratory Insufficiency; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Spain

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Candida; Cross Infection; Humans; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Nystatin

This study represents a 1-year surveillance period using our epidemiology-based principles published and successfully followed since 1979: weekly culture for yeasts of oral and anal swabs, treatment with oral nystatin of all colonized newborns, and good hygiene/handwashing. Colonization was demonstrated in 23 out of 791 newborns admitted from October 1998 to September 1999. Twenty-two strains of Candida were identified: 16 C. albicans, 2 C. parapsilosis, 3 C. glabrata, and 1 C. tropicalis. Symptoms were erythema of the buttocks in 6 colonized newborns. No other culture positive for Candida could be found. Previous contamination was the main source (previous stay in an intensive care unit, rarely maternal origin). Contamination in the unit was unlikely. Eradication of Candida could be observed within 1 week. These good results, controversial in the literature, were obtained following epidemiological conclusions and support our guidelines.

Topics: Buttocks; Candida; Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Candida tropicalis; Candidiasis; Cross Infection; Erythema; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Intensive Care, Neonatal; Male; Miconazole; Nystatin

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Antifungal Agents; Burns; Candidiasis; Cross Infection; Fungemia; Humans; Nystatin

A prospective cohort study in a neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) was carried out to evaluate whether the incidence of infection in neonates receiving intestinal decolonization was reduced in comparison to those who did not. This study was performed after controling possible confounding infection risk factors. A total of 536 babies were screened in our ICU during the 27-month study period. Neonates were admitted to the ICU for different reasons: low weight, respiratory distress syndrome, acute fetal suffering, surgery, etc. The doctor in charge decided whether the baby should be decolonized or not, so this experimental study was non-random. Thus more of the babies with a greater risk of infection were decolonized more often than the other babies who were not so much at risk. In this study, babies were classified by type of decolonization given: a well-performed Selective Intestinal Decolonization (SID) was done (early and with three oral drugs: E polymyxin, tobramycin and nystatin): 10.8% of the babies; Incorrect SID (was begun late and/or less than three drugs were used): 16.7% of the babies; and Without SID (72.9%). Total nosocomial infection (NI) was 11.2%, catheter-associated sepsis was 42% of the total NI. When the NI incidence was directly compared among groups, it was lower in the group without SID, but infants with decolonization initially had more infection risk factor than the first group. For this reason, multiple logistic regression was used in order to stratify factors by infection probability, and correcting the existing bias.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Chi-Square Distribution; Cohort Studies; Colistin; Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; Cross Infection; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Intestines; Logistic Models; Multivariate Analysis; Nystatin; Prospective Studies; Spain; Tobramycin

Yeast isolates from burned patients were analyzed retrospectively for a 7-year period (1984-1991). Topical nystatin was used routinely in the burn wound dressing as antifungal therapy beginning in July 1986. Nystatin used was associated with a significant decrease in overall yeast acquisitions in burn wounds; yeasts were isolated from 15.5% of admitted patients before the use of nystatin vs. 10.5% with use of nystatin (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.86). New acquisitions of Candida rugosa in burn wounds increased from 0.36% of admissions during the period July 1984 to June 1986 (before nystatin use) to 5.25% in the period July 1986 to June 1991 (during use of nystatin) (OR = 15.3; 95% CI, 4.1-128). The incidence of fungemia decreased from 3.25% of admissions in the pre-nystatin period to 1.43% in the postnystatin period (OR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.87). C. rugosa caused none of 18 fungemias in the former period and 15 of 21 in the latter period (P = .002). Susceptibility testing of recent C. rugosa isolates demonstrated resistance to nystatin and moderate susceptibility to amphotericin B and fluconazole. Topical nystatin use was associated with a decrease in fungemias and acquisition of yeasts in burn wounds but with an increase in colonization and fungemias caused by nystatin-resistant, amphotericin B-susceptible C. rugosa.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Burn Units; Burns; Candida; Candidiasis; Case-Control Studies; Cross Infection; Fluconazole; Flucytosine; Humans; Ketoconazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nystatin; Retrospective Studies

Ten hospitalized patients with severe diarrhea associated with intestinal Candida overgrowth are reported. Candida-associated diarrhea is predominantly of the secretory type, characterized by frequent watery stools, usually without blood, mucus, tenesmus, or abdominal pain. The patients were elderly, malnourished, and critically ill, or suffered from chronic debilitating illness. Their hospital stays were prolonged, and the majority were being treated with multiple antibiotics or chemotherapeutic agents. Diarrhea often led to dehydration, prerenal azotemia, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte imbalance. Stool culture most frequently isolated Cand. albicans in association with decreased normal flora. Colonoscopy showed no evidence of colitis. Diagnosis was made based on the absence of diarrhea-producing medications, the continuation of diarrhea despite fasting, the exclusion of other infections, inflammatory conditions and other causes of secretory diarrhea, and a dramatic response to a short course of nystatin.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Candida; Candidiasis; Chronic Disease; Cross Infection; Diarrhea; Drug Therapy, Combination; Feces; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Nystatin

A series of experiments were performed on mice and rats subjected to total decontamination by oral administration of 3 antibiotics: gentamicin, ristomycin and nystatin. The results of experiments are summarized. It was shown that under the conventional conditions the decontamination was effective, when the intervals between the experiments were 3-5 months. When the intervals were less or the experiments were performed in the same room without intervals, the efficacy of the decontamination markedly decreased or it was ineffective. The results are discussed from the standpoints of the necessity of observing definite requirements for performance of such procedures in hospitals and laboratories.

Topics: Animals; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Escherichia coli; Gentamicins; Humans; Intestines; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred CBA; Nystatin; Patient Isolation; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Ristocetin

Infections of children with malignant disease, especially of the lympho-reticular system, are characterized by their severity, with a high mortality, as a consequence of defective immunocompetence. According to the immunosurveillance theory, temporary immune defects could have even facilitated the malignant growth. The neoplastic disease itself contributes to the immunodeficiency by multiple mechanisms. The powerful cytostatic-cytocidal drugs reduce the immune response also, especially in the phases of bone marrow depression. Granulocytopenia shows the most significant correlation with the incidence of serious infections. The different forms of hospital infections have been reviewed and classified as 1. bacterial, fungal and, rarely, (but most dangerous) protozoal infections, 2. endogenous infections with the patient's own anaerobic intestinal flora and 3. viral infections. The perspectives of up-to-date chemotherapy and management of the immunodeficiency e.g. with leucocyte transfusions, and attempts to prevent infection are discussed.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antineoplastic Agents; Bacterial Infections; Blood Transfusion; Child; Communicable Diseases; Cross Infection; Humans; Immunologic Surveillance; Immunosuppression Therapy; Leukocytes; Leukopenia; Miconazole; Mycoplasma Infections; Mycoses; Neoplasms; Nutrition Disorders; Nystatin; Patient Isolation; Protozoan Infections; Tetracyclines; Virus Diseases

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross Infection; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nystatin; Sepsis

Topics: Administration, Oral; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cephalosporins; Cross Infection; Humans; Infection Control; Infections; Leukemia; Nystatin; Sepsis

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Candidiasis; Cross Infection; Humans; Nystatin

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bacteriuria; Boston; Candida; Candidiasis; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross Infection; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Nystatin; Rifampin; Sputum; Urinary Catheterization; Wound Infection

Topics: Candidiasis, Oral; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Child; Cross Infection; Female; History; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Nystatin; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Statistics as Topic