Febrile neutropenia resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords:
Definition
Neutropenic fever is defined as one oral temperature of ≥38.3°C (101°F) or a temperature of ≥38.0°C (100.4°F) for over one hour. Neutropenia is defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <500 cells/mm3 or an ANC that is expected to become less than 500 cells/mm3 over the next 48 hours. Profound neutropenia is defined as an ANC <100 cells/mm3. Patients with functional neutropenia have a qualitative abnormality of neutrophil functions despite a normal or elevated ANC, as seen in hematological malignancy, and are at increased risk of infections similarly to patients with low ANC.[1]
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Common Causes
Management
Day 1: Initial Management
Characterize the symptoms: Symptom suggestive of neutropenic fever:
with
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Consider the diagnosis of neutropenic fever POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obtain a detailed history: ❑ History of any symptom of infections and inflammation of
❑ History of any co-morbid conditions
❑ History of any recent exposure to infections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Examine the patient: ❑ Search for signs of infections at
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Order laboratory tests (routine): ❑ CBC with
❑ BMP
❑ Urinalysis Order additional tests (not routine and order if clinically indicated):
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Do a risk assessment using MASCC risk Index: (MANDATORY)
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Low risk patients: ❑ MASCC score ≥21 or ❑ Expected brief neutropenia (≤7 days) | High risk patients: ❑ MASCC score <21 or ❑ Expected prolonged neutropenia (>7 days) Patients who do not strictly fulfill the criteria for being at low risk Afebrile neutropenic patients with new signs or symptoms suggestive of infection | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Administer oral or IV empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy (URGENT): ❑ Ciprofloxacin + Amoxicillin-clavulanate | Hospitalize the patient | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consider continuing with inpatient IV antibiotics: ❑ Inability to tolerate oral medications | Administer IV empirical antipseudomonal antibiotic monotherapy (URGENT): ❑ Cefepime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consider discharge with outpatient oral antibiotics: ❑ Ability to tolerate oral medications | Add vancomycin to the initial empirical antibiotic monotherapy for: ❑ Suspected Catheter related infection Consider modifying the initial empirical antibiotic monotherapy for:
or
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Followup: ❑ Vigilant observation for recovery
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Days 2 to 4: Management After Initiation of Empirical Antibiotic Therapy
Low risk patients | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unexplained fever | Documented infection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
❑ Persistent fever ❑ Clinically unstable | ❑ Defervesed ❑ Cultures negative | Modify antibiotics according to culture results and/or infection site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hospitalize if outpatient for broad-spectrum IV antibiotics | Continue oral or IV antibiotics until ANC >0.5 x 109 cells/L and rising | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Modify antibiotics according to culture results and/or infection site | Responding | Not responding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Continue antibiotics for 7-14 days as appropriate for documented infection, or longer, i.e. until ANC >0.5 x 109 cells/L and rising | ❑ Examine and re-image (CT, MRI) for new or worsening sites of infection ❑ Culture/biopsy/drain sites of worsening infection ❑ Review antibiotic coverage for adequacy of dosing and spectrum ❑ Consider adding empirical antifungal therapy ❑ Broaden antimicrobial coverage for hemodynamic instability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
High risk patients | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unexplained fever | Documented infection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
❑ Persistent fever ❑ Clinically stable | ❑ Defervesed ❑ Cultures negative | Modify antibiotics according to culture results and/or infection site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
❑ No changes in empirical antibiotics ❑ Assess for infection sites | Continue antibiotics until ANC >0.5 x 109 cells/L and rising | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurrent fever during persistent neutropenia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Responding | Not responding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Continue antibiotics for 7-14 days as appropriate for documented infection, or longer, i.e. until ANC >0.5 x 109 cells/L and rising | ❑ Examine and re-image (CT, MRI) for new or worsening sites of infection ❑ Culture/biopsy/drain sites of worsening infection ❑ Review antibiotic coverage for adequacy of dosing and spectrum ❑ Consider adding empirical antifungal therapy ❑ Broaden antimicrobial coverage for hemodynamic instability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Do's
- Modify the antibiotic regimens depending on the clinical picture and the epidemiology of infections in the area and the hospital where the patient is being treated at.
Don'ts
- Don't measure the temperature of the patient in the axillary area because it is not as specific as if it was taken orally.
- Don't measure the temperature of the patient rectally to avoid contaminating the skin and soft tissues of the rectal area.
References
- ↑ Freifeld, AG.; Bow, EJ.; Sepkowitz, KA.; Boeckh, MJ.; Ito, JI.; Mullen, CA.; Raad, II.; Rolston, KV.; Young, JA. (2011). "Clinical practice guideline for the use of antimicrobial agents in neutropenic patients with cancer: 2010 update by the infectious diseases society of america". Clin Infect Dis. 52 (4): e56–93. doi:10.1093/cid/cir073. PMID 21258094. Unknown parameter
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