Infectious complications of febrile leukopenia.
It can be foreseen that in the years to come major improvements in neutropenic host infections will be achieved regarding the exact identification of risk factors, allowing better patient stratification; the application of molecular techniques to recognize pathogens; the development of effective new oral antimicrobials allowing home therapy or abbreviated hospitalization; the development of new antifungals; and the development of new effective immunomodulators and cytokines to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. In the years to come the threat of nosocomial infections unfortunately will not be eliminated, while the development of major new parenteral antibiotics cannot be foreseen. It is therefore the caregiver/physician himself who, by applying rational antibiotic policies and strict handwashing rules, will probably escape, for his neutropenic patient's sake, the imminent threat of multiresistant pathogens.
Giamarellou
H
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. hgiama@ath.forthnet.gr
Antoniadou
A
A
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000382:microbiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents