2002 IDSA Guidance on the Duration of Antibiotic Therapy in a Cancer Patient with Febrile Neutropenia

Description

A cancer patient with febrile neutropenia should be treated with antibiotics as long as they are needed. The duration of antibiotic therapy depends on a number of clinical factors. The authors are from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and multiple hospitals in the North America and Europe.

Parameters:

(1) presence of fever after initial empirical therapy for 3 to 5 days

(2) absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

(3) initial risk of infection

(4) current clinical status

Temperature on Day 3-5	ANC per µL	Initial Risk	Current Status	Management
afebrile	>= 500	NA	well	stop antibiotics if same or better for 48 hours
afebrile	< 500	low	well	stop when afebrile for 5 to 7 days
afebrile	< 500	low	not well	continue antibiotics
afebrile	< 500	high	NA	continue antibiotics
febrile	>= 500	NA	NA	evaluate at 4-5 days after ANC >= 500
febrile	< 500	NA	NA	continue for 2 weeks then evaluate; stop if stable and no disease.

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2002 IDSA Guidance on the Duration of Antibiotic Therapy in a Cancer Patient with Febrile Neutropenia

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