Enhanced Molecular Microbiological Surveillance Versus Ceftriaxone Prophylaxis in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Patients

This study compares two common strategies for preventing infections in adults who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). People who undergo these transplants often have very low levels of white blood cells for several days or weeks. During this time, they have a high risk of developing serious infections. Many hospitals give preventive antibiotics, but increasing resistance to these drugs has raised questions about whether this approach is still effective. In this study, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives daily ceftriaxone as preventive treatment. The other group does not receive preventive antibiotics and instead is closely monitored using continuous temperature sensors and frequent microbiological testing. If any participant shows signs of infection, the medical team begins standard antibiotic treatment based on the person's symptoms, test results, and the hospital's local patterns of bacterial resistance. The study uses modern laboratory methods, including genetic tests to identify bacteria and antibiotic resistance markers. These tests are performed when a participant develops fever or other symptoms of infection. Researchers will track how often infections occur, how severe they are, and whether bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. They will also monitor recovery of blood counts, the length of hospital stay, and whether participants develop complications related to the transplant. The results of this study may help hospitals choose the safest and most effective approach to preventing infections in transplant patients, especially in settings where resistance to commonly used antibiotics is increasing.