Antibiotic prophylaxis in afebrile neutropenic patients significantly reduced all-cause mortality. In our review, the most significant reduction in mortality was observed in trials assessing prophylaxis with quinolones. The benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis outweighed the harm such as adverse effects and the development of resistance since all-cause mortality was reduced. As most trials in our review were of patients with haematologic cancer, we strongly recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for these patients, preferably with a quinolone. Prophylaxis may also be considered for patients with solid tumours or lymphoma.
Evaluation of the efficacy of prophylactic intravenous antibiotherapy with ceftriaxone in post-chemotherapy agranulocytic patients.
A prospective study was carried out in 44 patients treated by intensive chemotherapy inducing a prolonged neutropenia (granulocytes less than 0.5.10(9)/l). All the patients were isolated in protected rooms, received a pathogen-free diet and nonabsorbable oral antibiotics. After double-blind randomization, 22 patients received 2 g of Ceftriaxone (Cef) in a daily infusion beginning on the first day of chemotherapy; and 22 patients received 2 g of placebo (P) under the same conditions. Prophylaxis was continued until the neutropenia resolved (granulocytes greater than 0.5.10(9)/l) or until the onset of infectious symptoms. 19 patients in each group developed febrile episodes, occurring significantly later in the Cef group (16.6 days versus 10.6 days in the P group). No Cef-resistant organism was isolated. Finally, the time at which apyrexia was obtained after the beginning of curative antibiotherapy was the same in both groups. The routine intravenous administration of Cef in combination with nonabsorbable antibiotics is a useful approach in reducing the risk of infection in the neutropenic host.