bacteremia
3 interactions related to bacteremia
probiotics + immunosuppressants
Live probiotic bacteria can translocate across the gut wall and cause bacteremia, endocarditis, or sepsis in patients whose immune systems are pharmacologically suppressed (e.g., calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, corticosteroids, mycophenolate). Multiple case reports document Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bloodstream infections in solid-organ and stem-cell transplant recipients.
lactobacillus + tacrolimus
Tacrolimus is a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant used after solid-organ transplant. Lactobacillus species have caused bacteremia, endocarditis, and liver abscess in transplant recipients on tacrolimus, including a published case of recurrent Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacteremia in a renal transplant patient.
probiotics + chemotherapy
Chemotherapy frequently induces neutropenia and damages the gut mucosa, which together increase the risk that ingested probiotic organisms can translocate into the bloodstream and cause bacteremia, fungemia, or sepsis. Major dietary guidelines for neutropenic cancer patients recommend avoiding probiotic supplements.