Managing infections in immunosuppressed patients.

Various infections are associated with depressed host defenses. Systemic antibiotic therapy is not useful prophylactically but should be instituted immediately in patients with known bacterial infections and in febrile patients with neutropenia. Meticulous patient care and attention to collection and evaluation of microbiologic data are the keys to early detection of infection. Nonbacterial opportunistic infections should be considered in patients with prolonged fever or fever and pulmonary infiltrates. Some ancillary measures, such as patient isolation and reconstitution of the immune system, may help in prevention or treatment of infections in immunosuppressed patients.