[Prophylaxis of Gram-positive infections after bone marrow graft. Controlled study of the 6-day administration of vancomycin. Intermediate analysis of 60 patients].

We prospectively evaluated after randomization in 60 consecutive recipients of bone marrow transplantation the efficiency of a short administration of vancomycin (10 mg/kg I.V. q 6 H, day -5 to +1). Thirty-three patients were randomized as controls and 27 were designed to receive vancomycin. Both groups were similar in terms of age, diagnosis, status, allogeneic or autologous graft, in vitro marrow treatment or not. Eighteen patients (30%) experienced bacteremias: 15/18 bacteremias were due to Gram positive organisms, including 11 streptococci. These infections occurred with a similar frequency in both groups, the relatively low incidence of bacteremias in this study needs further evaluation in new patients to insure the prophylactic effects of a course of vancomycin in bone marrow transplant recipients.