Systemic broad-spectrum antimicrobial prophylaxis in hematological patients after intensive antineoplastic chemotherapy.
We performed a pilot study on 13 heavily treated hematologic patients, in whom a systemic broad-spectrum antimicrobial prophylaxis was started after the end of the antineoplastic treatment. Results were compared to a historical control group of patients with similar characteristics, in whom antibody were started at the appearance of fever. We observed a remarkable reduction in infectious fevers (1 versus 7, p = 0.03) and a disappearance of bacterial sepsis (0 versus 7, p = 0.005). The length of treatment was longer (18.6 versus 12.0 days, p = 0.06); no side effects were seen. We conclude that this seems to be a promising and safe approach, whose role in the management of selected neutropenic patients could be evaluated with further, wider studies.
Verlicchi
F
F
Istituto di Ematologia L. e A. Seràgnoli, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy.
Ricci
P
P
Bassi
A
A
Benfenati
D
D
Bandini
G
G
Rosti
G
G
Calori
E
E
Borghi
C
C
Tura
S
S
D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000150:complications*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D010865:Pilot Projects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents