SEFTAZIDIME IN FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of seftazidime as empirical monotherapy in febrerile neutropenia. Patients and methods: Twenty-eight patients with acute leukemia (19 patients) and solid tumors (9 patients) presenting with 54 episodes of fever and neutropenia were initialy treated with ceftazidime (100 mg/kg/day). Results: Medyan duration of neutropenia was seven days (1-22 days). Severe neutropenia (<100/mm3) was observed in 30 epidoses (56%). The infections were documented microbiologically in 25 episodes (22%). The origin of fever was not found in 17 episodes (32%). The medyan duration of antibiotic treatment was 14 days (7-27 days). Overall success rate of the febrile episodes was 100%. Modification was necessary in 43% of the epidoses. Success rate without antibiotic modification was 57%. No major adverse effects occurred. Conclusion: This study confirms that monotherapy with seftazidime for the empiric treatment of febrile neutropenia is effective and safe.

Keywords: febril meutropenia, ceftazidime, pediatric malignancy