[Febrile neutropenia: practical aspects].
BACKGROUND
Infections are a major cause of mortality in neutropenic patients. They require long hospital stays and highly expensive therapeutic measures. In this review we discuss the practical and pharmaco-economic aspects of the management of febrile neutropenia.
Prevention of fever of unknown origin (FUO) demands hygienic and antimicrobiotic measures. First-line antibiotic therapy consists of an aminoglycoside combined with an ureidopenicillin or a 3rd-generation cephalosporin. Double beta-lactam antibiotic combinations are equally effective and less toxic, but more expensive. Monotherapy with carbapenems, ceftazidime, or cefepime appear to offer comparable efficacy. Lung infiltrates require immediate treatment with amphotericin B. If the initial therapeutic regime fails, a carbapenem plus a glycopeptide antibiotic and a parenteral antimycotic drug should be applied after 3 to 4 days. The prophylactic or interventional administration of hematopoietic growth factors is only indicated in special high-risk situations.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the described therapeutic procedure, the response rate exceeds 90%. Consistent, step-wise escalating administration of antibiotics is essential. More evaluation is needed to determine whether selected patients with febrile neutropenia can be treated on an outpatient basis.
Harten
P
P
II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel. P.Harten@2med.uni-kiel
Seyfarth
B
B
Schmitz
N
N
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
Febrile Neutropenie: Praktische Aspekte.