04/07/2018 / By Zoey Sky
A study published in PLOS One reported that a compromised microbiome can be used to determine if pediatric cancer patients will develop blood infections. According to the authors, infections in patients allegedly caused by central lines (long, flexible tubes used to provide pediatric patients with the necessary medication, fluids, and nutrients) could actually be caused by changes in their microbiome.
The researchers posit that future studies are necessary to determine a clearer link between changes in fecal microbiome composition and bloodstream infections in young cancer patients. Should the studies determine a link between the two, healthcare experts can use the information to create solutions that can “predict, prevent, and better treat these infections by following changes in the intestinal microbiome and/or utilizing preventative strategies or targeted therapies against intestinal dysbiosis.”
Journal Reference:
Nycz BT, Dominguez SR, Friedman D, Hilden JM, Ir D, Robertson CE, Frank DN. EVALUATION OF BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS, CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTIONS, AND GUT MICROBIOTA IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS. PLOS One. 2018;13(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191232
Tagged Under:
blood, blood infection, C. difficile, cancer, cancer treatment, Central Line-associated Blood Stream Infectionm, CLABSI, Clostridium difficile, disease treatments, microbiome
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