Abstract
Aim: Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) predisposes patients to life-threatening infections and typically requires hospitalization. Patients with profound neutropenia have increased risk of septicemia associated with significant morbidity. To provide the appropriate broad-spectrum antimicrobial cover, documentation of causative agents and their antimicrobial susceptibilities should be established in each hospital. Methods: The goal of the present study was to investigate the causative microorganisms in 27 febrile neutropenic patients between January 2006 and December 2007. Results: ln our hematology unit, among 122 febrile neutropenic episodes 57 isolates from cultures of febrile neutropenic patients, gram-negative bacteria was prevalent (45.6%). Among the gram-positives (%42.1% of isolates) coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the predominant bacteria (13/23) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (7/23). Escherichia coli (14/26) and Klebsiella spp. (7/26) were the most common species among 26 gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: The most important issue in febrile neutropenia is still a mortal situation in immunocompromised patients. So documentation of the flora in each unit would help to decide appropriate empirical therapy which is life saving.
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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Type: Original Article
EUR J GEN MED, Volume 5, Issue 4, October 2008, 228-231
https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/82612
Publication date: 15 Oct 2008
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