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Infections with viridans group streptococci in children with cancer
Author(s) -
Reilly Anne F.,
Lange Beverly J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21250
Subject(s) - medicine , bacteremia , incidence (geometry) , intensive care medicine , respiratory distress , myeloid leukemia , cancer , antibiotics , cytarabine , sepsis , myocarditis , immunology , surgery , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , optics , biology
Infection with viridans group streptococci (VGS) causes morbidity and mortality in children with cancer. Incidence of these infections has increased over time. Neutropenic patients with acute myeloid leukemia and those receiving high‐dose cytarabine or undergoing stem cell transplantation are at highest risk. One‐third of infected patients develop a shock syndrome despite prompt antibiotic therapy. Host defense mechanisms contribute substantially to colonization and tissue damage, but the origin of the shock syndrome is not well understood. VGS infection may be accompanied by neurological complications, myocarditis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Routine systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis against VGS infection has not been proven effective. Current recommendations include appropriate antibiotic therapy and intensive supportive care. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:774–780. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.