Prevention and management of infections after exposure to ionising radiation. (6th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maher, Keri R; Bouligny, Ian M; Yeager, Andrew M
• Is Part Of: Journal of radiological protection. Volume 41:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: R176
• Page End: R188
• Publication Date: 2021-12-06
• Subjects: prophylaxis -- neutropenic fever -- vaccination -- COVID 19; Radiation -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Health Physics -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Radiation Protection -- Periodicals; Rayonnement -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resource; Periodical; 363.179905
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac14d3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-4746

Abstract

Abstract: Ionising radiation impacts many organ systems, each of which comprises a level of immunity to infectious disease. Bone marrow toxicity after radiation results in a predisposition to leukopenia and subsequent susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Radiation-induced damage to mucosal, integumentary, and solid organ structures disrupts additional lines of innate defense. Over the past three decades, much progress has been made in effective antimicrobial prophylaxis, resulting in decreased infectious complications and improved survival. Vaccination schedules following myeloablative radiation have become highly regimented and treatment of overt infectious complications is largely standardised. In this article, we discuss consequences, prevention, and management of infections following exposure to ionising radiation.