Resumo

CUELLAR PONCE DE LEON, Luis Ernesto. Infections in immunocompromised hosts . Rev Med Hered [online]. 2013, vol.24, n.2, pp.156-162. ISSN 1018-130X.

Infections are the most frequent causes of morbility and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. The frequency and variety of infections in this population will depend on the immunocompromised type, treatment, and epidemiological aspect. Neutropenic hosts develop infections caused by non-capsulated extracellular bacteria and levaduriform and filamentous fungi; early diagnosis and adequate treatment are extremely important to avoid high mortality in this population. Humoral immunocompromise is realated to infections produced by capsulated microorganisms (bacteria and fungi); the clinical pattern presented by this population is a progression of acute pneumonia-bacteremia/fungemia-acute/chronic meningoencephalitis. Most infections are immunopreventable. The cellular immunocompromise is related to infections produced by intracellular microorganisms and also some types of extracellular microorganisms; most of them are the result of reactivation; the use of primary and secondary antimicrobial prophylaxis is necessary; drug therapy and invasive procedures are associated with different types of microorganisms. The epidemiological aspect which includes life style, occupation, travel history, helps to assess and determine the risk of potential infections. In conclusion, preventive measures and rational use of antimicrobial drugs are critical for the effective management of immunocompromised hosts.

Palavras-chave : Infection; immunocompromised host; neutropenia.

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