title: Fungal pathogens and primary antifungal prophylaxis in patients with hematological malignancies: one year experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Febrile neutropenia (FN) is generally a complication of cancer chemotherapy in patients with hematological malignancies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the febrile neutropenia episodes of hematological patients and their outcomes with respect to fungal pathogens, primary antifungal prophylaxis antifungal therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  All consecutive patients older than 14 years of age and who developed febrile neutropenia episodes from September 2010 to November 2011 were incorporated into this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, we retrospectively evaluated 86 consecutive patients and their 148 neutropenic episodes. Of the 86 patients, 45 were male and the mean age was 47,65±15,06 years (range: 17-82 years). The mean MASCC score was 18,72 ± 9,43. Systemic antifungal drug was initiated to 17 patients with probable fungal infection and 12 patients with possible fungal infection. Of seven patients who received posaconazole prophylaxis, five were treated with systemic fungal infection due to possible fungal infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is obvious that more studies focused on primary prophylaxis are needed and primary or secondary antifungal prophylaxis should be evaluated in terms of provided benefits and disadvantages. Timely and appropriately initiated antifungal treatment is one of the most important factors for a good prognosis for recovery from a neutropenic phase.
authors: Department of Infectious diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ministry of Health Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. habipgedik@yahoo.com
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Gedik
authors: M T
authors: MT
authors: Yildirmak
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Simsek
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Aydin
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Demirel
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Yokus
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Arica
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011292:Premedication; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Hematological patients; antifungal prophylaxis; antifungal treatment; febrile neutropenia
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