European journal of clinical nutrition
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Patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk of septicaemia. Intestinal dysmotility and impaired gut immunity due to parenteral nutrition promote bacterial overgrowth. Gut overgrowth with aerobic Gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) impairs systemic immunity. The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of gut overgrowth with AGNB in the pathogenesis of septicaemia related to parenteral nutrition. ⋯ The incidence of septicaemia was significantly greater in the subset of abnormal carriers. Although gut overgrowth with abnormal flora reflects illness severity, the fact that it preceded septicaemia implicates AGNB overgrowth, per se, as a contributory factor in the development of septicaemia related to parenteral nutrition. Prevention is unlikely to be successful if it ignores the abnormal flora.
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The widespread use of long-term enteral nutrition and the substantive costs dictate a need to study outcome, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of these patients. The aim of our study was to analyze incidence, clinical and biochemical characteristics of a cohort of patients on home enteral nutrition (HEN). ⋯ In conclusion, HEN is a valid and safe technique for nutrition support, with a good clinical outcome in our area.