title: Antibiotic sequential therapy for febrile neutropenia in pediatric patients with malignancy.
abstract: Children suffering malignant diseases can experience phases of bone marrow depression during intensive chemotherapy. The influence of antibiotic sequence therapy on the course of diseases was examined in 41 pediatric patients with malignant diseases. Inclusion criteria were neutropenia (ANC < 500/microL), rectal body temperature over 38.5 degrees C, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP, cutoff > 5.0 mg/L). The first stage of therapy comprised the following antibiotics: piperacillin, teicoplanin, and gentamicin. In stage 2 imipenem, teicoplanin, and tobramycin were administered. Fluconazole was the antifungal drug of choice in stages 1 and 2. In the first level of antibiotic therapy 68% of the patients showed a positive reaction. The C-reactive protein was a sensitive parameter, which significantly decreased with 3 days of therapy. A total of 72% of the bacteriological smears were sterile. All patients survived the septic phase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Germany. bernig@rz.uni-greifswald.de
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bernig
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weigel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukodzi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reddemann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents