title: Severe infections in neutropenic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Severe infections in neutropenic patients can rapidly progress to septic shock and multiorgan failure with a high associated mortality. In this article we discuss current practice, emerging trends and controversies, including the prophylactic and empiric use of antimicrobial therapy, and advances in cellular and immunotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neutropenia is no longer a consistent factor predicting poor outcome in haematological patients admitted to the ICU. Severe infections in neutropenic patients are often polymicrobial, and pathogen resistance remains a challenge. Invasive fungal infection is still predictive of poor outcome. There has been a rapid expansion in the diagnostics and treatment modalities available for patients with invasive fungal infection. Use of growth factors, polyvalent immunoglobulin, and cellular therapy appear to be of value in certain groups of patients. There is a move away from the use of noninvasive ventilation and the use of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy is one of a number of novel respiratory support strategies that is yet to be evaluated in this patient population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Translation of current advances in antimicrobial, cellular and immunotherapy, and diagnostics to aid clinical management by the bedside is important in reducing morbidity and mortality for neutropenic patients with severe infection.
authors.affiliation: aTargeted Therapy, Division of Cancer Biology, Institute of Cancer Research; Stem Cell Transplantation, Haemato-Oncology Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust; Centre for Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London bCritical Care Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gruber
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins