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Stenotrophomonas maltophilia intestinal colonization in hospitalized oncology patients with diarrhea

Anucha Apisarnthanarak1, Victoria J Fraser, W Michael Dunne

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. anapisarn@yahoo.com

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|October 3, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia intestinal colonization was found in 9.5% of oncology patients with diarrhea. Colonized patients received more diverse antibiotic treatments, suggesting a link between antibiotic exposure and this specific bacterial colonization.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Hospitalized oncology patients are susceptible to infections.
  • Diarrhea in this population can indicate various underlying issues, including bacterial colonization.
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia intestinal colonization in oncology patients experiencing diarrhea.
  • To investigate potential risk factors associated with this colonization.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-week surveillance study was conducted.
  • Stool samples from 41 hospitalized oncology patients with diarrhea were cultured.
  • Data on antibiotic usage were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was identified in 4 out of 41 patients (9.5%).
  • Patients colonized with S. maltophilia received a significantly higher number of different antibiotic types (5 vs. 3) compared to non-colonized patients (P=.04).

Conclusions:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia intestinal colonization occurs in a notable percentage of oncology patients with diarrhea.
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotic use may be a significant risk factor for S. maltophilia colonization in this vulnerable patient group.

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