1107. Third Generation Cephalosporins Monotherapy Experience in Pediatric Patients with High-Risk Febrile Neutropenia

Abstract

BackgroundFever during neutropenia is common in children with cancer. The updated guidelines recommend empirical antibiotic monotherapy using an antipseudomonal ß-lactam, a fourth generation cephalosporin or a carbapenem for high-risk febrile neutropenia. However, local epidemiology and resistance patterns should be evaluated regularly. In our hospital there are not Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in oncology pediatric patients, therefore, we use ceftriaxone as monotherapy in high risk febrile neutropenia without other risk factors. The goal of our investigation is to describe the experience of using third generation cephalosporins in these patients.MethodsDescriptive study of high-risk febrile neutropenia episodes in patients admitted to the Pediatric Oncology Unit of Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago, Chile. We included patients ≤15 years from June 2016 until December 2019.ResultsWe found 140 episodes in 53 patients, 42 (79%) were leukemia and 11 (21%) solid tumor patients. Of the 140 episodes, 97 (69%) had clinical signs at admission, mostly respiratory in 48 (49%) of the cases. Ninety one (65%) cases started ceftriaxone at admission, 27 (30%) maintained ceftriaxone for 7 days of treatment. Sixty four (70%) cases changed treatment: 38/64 (42%) started second line antibiotics for clinical worsening, 19/64 (20%) required second and third line antibiotics for persistent fever and clinical worsening, and 7/64 (8%) received third line antibiotics from the start for past microbiological history. Eighteen (13%) cases evolved with sepsis requiring intensive care unit management.We had 32 (23%) episodes with positive blood culture, 13 (41%) due to gram positive bacteria, 16 (50%) gram negative bacteria, and 3 (9%) cases of fungal infections. Of the gram negative bacteria, 7 (44%) were ESBL producers, without Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.One case died (0.7%) for refractory sepsis due to gram negative bacteria.ConclusionMonotherapy with ceftriaxone is not a good option as initial therapy for high risk febrile neutropenia patients due to the spread of ESBL strains. The empiric therapy has to be evaluated regularly and should always be based in local epidemiology.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures