rifampin and Leukemia--Megakaryoblastic--Acute

Opportunistic infections contribute to morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and treatment for malignancies. Rothia mucilaginosa, a gram-positive bacterium, is responsible for rare, but often fatal meningitis in severely immunocompromised patients. We describe two cases of meningitis from discrete strains of R. mucilaginosa on our pediatric bone marrow transplant unit, summarize the published cases of R. mucilaginosa meningitis in oncology and stem cell transplant patients, and provide updated recommendations regarding the use of antibiotic therapy in this patient population.

Topics: Actinomycetales Infections; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ceftazidime; Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; Child; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute; Male; Meningitis, Bacterial; Meropenem; Micrococcaceae; Opportunistic Infections; Postoperative Complications; Rifampin; Sepsis; Thienamycins; Vancomycin