Abstract
A sample of 100 consecutive febrile neutropenic episodes in cancer patients in Kuwait was studied. Acute leukaemias (44%) and lymphomas (29%) were the most frequent underlying cancers; 21 bacteraemias (gram-positive 10, gram-negative 9, polymicrobial 2) were encountered. Staphylococcous epidermidis and Escherichia coli were the commonest organisms. Urinary tract infection occurred in 30% of the microbiologically documented cases. A total of 84 episodes responded to therapy and 9 of the 14 deaths were secondary to infection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Bodey GP (1986) Infection in cancer patients: continuing association. Am J Med 88 [Suppl IA]:11–26
Cohen J, Donnelly PJ, Worsley AM, Catovsky D, Goldman JM, galton DAG (1983) Septicaemia caused by viridians streptococci in neutropenic patients with leukemia. Lancet II:1452–1454
Donnelly PJ (1991) Assessment and reporting of clinical trials of empiric therapy in neutropenic patients. J Antimicrob Chemother 27:377–387
EORTC International Antimicrobial Therapy Co-operative Group and the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (1991) Vancomycin added to empirical combination antibiotic therapy for fever in granulocytopenic cancer patients. J Infect Dis 163:951–958
Gunther G, Bjurkholm M, Bjorklind A, Engervall P, Stiernsted G (1991) Septicaemia in patients with hematological disorders and neutropenia. A retrospective study of causative agents and their resistance profile. Scand J Infect Dis 23:589–598
Klastersky J (1993) Febrile neutropenia. Support Care Cancer 1:233–239
Martino P, Micozzi A, Gentile G, Raccah R, Micozzi C, Mandelli F (1992) Piperacillin plus amikacin vs. piperacillin plus amikacin plus teicoplanin for empirical treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients receiving quinolone prophylaxis. Clin Infect Dis 15:290–294
Novakova I, Donnelly P, De Pauw B (1990) Amikacin plus piperacillin vs. ceftazidime as initial therapy in granulocytopenic patients with presumed bacteremia. Scand J Infect Dis 22:705–771
Ramphal R, Bolger M, Oblon DJ, et al (1992) Vancomycinis not an essential component of the intial empiric treatment regimen for febrile neutropenic patients receiving ceftazidime: a randomized prospective study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 36:1062–1067
Rolston KVI, Bodey GP (1993) Infections in patients with cancer. In: Holland JF, Frei E, Bast RC, Kufe DW, Morton DL, Weichselbaum (eds) Cancer medicine. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia London, pp 2416–2441
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Al-Bahar, S., Pandita, R., Dhabhar, B.N. et al. Febrile neutropenia in cancer patients in Kuwait: microbial spectrum and outcome. Support Care Cancer 2, 400–402 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344056
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344056