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. 1975 Dec 6;4(5996):549–552. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5996.549

Plastic isolators for treatment of acute leukaemia patients under "germ-free" conditions.

P C Trexler, A S Spiers, H Gaya
PMCID: PMC1675903  PMID: 1203666

Abstract

A gnotobiotic isolation system based on those developed in veterinary research has been constructed for hospital use. Fifteen patients with leukaemia and neutropenia spent a total of 110 weeks in plastic isolators, and none acquired any infection. Endogenous flora was effectively suppressed by topical antiseptics and gastrointestinal decontamination effected with nonabsorbable antibiotics. The isolator system was acceptable to patients and staff and much cheaper than the use of sterile rooms. Other advantages of the system are portability, easy storage, and use on ordinary open wards without prejudice to the microbiological protection afforded. It is as yet uncertain whether protective environments of this type will substantially improve the outcome of treatment for the acute leukaemias.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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