Low Diagnostic Yield of Repeat Blood Cultures in Adult Hematologic Malignancy Patients with Persistent Neutropenic Fever

Low Diagnostic Yield of Repeat Blood Cultures in Adult Hematologic Malignancy Patients with Persistent Neutropenic Fever:

Abstract

Fever complicates chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia in >80% of patients with hematologic malignancies. Microbiologically documented infections occur in 22%–39% of febrile episodes; common sites of tissue‐based infection include the intestinal tract, lung, and skin. Bacteremia is established in 18% of patients on fluoroquinolone prophylaxis versus 34% of patients not on antibiotic prophylaxis, with most episodes occurring in the setting of prolonged or profound neutropenia (ANC, <100 neutrophils/mm3). Mortality in the setting of Gram‐negative bacteremia in this cohort is increased, if antimicrobial therapy is delayed.