Septicemia during compromised host treated in a protected isolation unit.

Bacteriological, hematological and immunological data were evaluated in patients with septicemia in a protected isolation unit. Patients were randomly given antimicrobial prophylaxis. Three out of four episodes of septicemia occurred 2 to 4 days after discontinuing oral nonabsorbed antibiotics at the stage of leukopenia and immunodeficiency induced by chemotherapy. Death occurred within 10 days in two patients whose peripheral white blood counts did not recover. In the other patients sepricemia was suppressed and complete remission was achieved in one of them. Parentheral administration of antibiotics is necessary after discontinuing oral prophylactic antibiotics in a protected isolation unit.