Infection prevention practices among EBMT hematopoietic cell transplant centers: the EBMT Infectious Disease Working Party survey

We aimed to describe the current status of infection prevention practices among EBMT centers. Questionnaires were distributed to all 553 EBMT transplant centers to capture clinical practices regarding antimicrobial prophylaxis, protective measures, isolation procedures and growth-factor support of patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation. Responses from 127 centers in 32 countries were obtained. Most centers housed patients in single rooms (autologous-82%; allogeneic-98%), with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filters (autologous-73%; allogeneic-100%) and positive pressure (autologous-61%; allogeneic-88%). Pre-engraftment G-CSF was utilized by 77 and 31% of centers after autologous and allogeneic transplantation, respectively (P < 0.00001). Antibacterial prophylaxis was provided by 57 and 69% (P = 0.086) of centers and antifungal prophylaxis by 65 and 84% (P = 0.0008) of centers, to patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic transplantation, respectively. Yet, 16 and 3% of centers provided neither antibacterial nor antifungal prophylaxis to patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic transplantation, respectively. Considerable variation existed between centers and across countries in antimicrobial prophylaxis practices, medications employed and duration of preventive therapy. There were considerable discordances between guidelines and daily practices. JACIE accredited and non-accredited centers did not differ significantly in their antimicrobial prophylaxis practices. Whether these differences between transplant centers translated into differences in infectious morbidity, mortality and financial costs, warrants further research.