USE OF FLUOROQUINOLONES AS PROPHYLACTIC AGENTS IN PATIENTS WITH NEUTROPENIA

Background. The use of fluorinated quinolone antibiotics to selectivel y decontaminate the gastrointestinal tract is a reasonable alternative to prevent infection in neutropenic patients. The fluoroquinolones re present ideal antibiotics with which to achieve the principles of sele ctive decontamination by allowing colonization of anaerobes to inhibit the adherence, colonization and proliferation of potentially pathogen ic aerobic flora. Objective. This report describes the prophylactic us e of fluoroquinolones in neutropenic patients. Results. The majority o f studies of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis in neutropenic patients have shown a reduction in documented Gram-negative bacterial infections. Ho wever, Gram-positive infections, particularly those with viridans stre ptococci, present a major impediment to the use of single agent prophy laxis with a quinolone. Conclusion. Prophylaxis with fluoroquinolones in neutropenic patients was found to be advantageous, but it must be b alanced against the risk of Gram-positive infections and the potential for antibiotic resistance.