Description

Ohmagari et al identified risk factors for a patient with cancer becoming infected with a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These can help identify patients who should be evaluated for antibiotic-resistance in the face of a persistent infection. The authors are from Shizuoka Cancer Center in Japan and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.


 

Patient selection: adult with cancer

 

Criteria for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa - resistance to all of the following:

(1) piperacillin

(2) ceftazadime

(3) imipenem

(4) gentamicin

 

Risk factors associated with infection with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa:

(1) history of carbapenem (imipenem, meropenem) therapy for >= 7 days

(2) history of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa during the past year

(3) presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

 

Another risk factor not listed may be a high rate of multidrug-resistance Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in a hospital.

 

Carbapenems should be used judiciously and alternative antipseudomonal therapy should be considered in a patient with a recent history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and/or COPD.

 


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