Microbiological monitoring of protected environment units: Effects of antibiotic prophylaxis and type of unit

Abstract

One hundred and eighty-seven patients received chemotherapy for malignant diseases in protected environment units with oral or parenteral prophylactic antibiotics. Life Islands, permanent laminar air flow units (LAF) and portable LAF units were utilized. Microbiological monitoring was performed during patient occupancy of these units. A higher proportion of settling plate cultures was sterile when the units were occupied by patients receiving oral antibiotic prophylaxis ( 53 vs 46%). The highest proportions of sterile settling platelet cultures were obtained from Life Island units. Floor cultures were collected from LAF units and the proportion which was sterile was higher in the permanent LAF units both when the patients were receiving oral antibiotic prophylaxis ( 76 vs 68%) and when they were not receiving oral antibiotic prophylaxis ( 81 vs 56%). The type of protected environment unit and antibiotic prophylaxis affects the results of microbiological monitoring of these units.