Factors predicting outcome in high risk febrile neutropenia in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy for acute sleukemia: A prospective, observational study from South India.

Abstract

Outcome of febrile neutropenia (FN) in acute leukemia patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy from India is scanty. A prospective, observational, single institutional study was conducted to evaluate the clinical features, microbiological aspects, risk factors influencing the outcome of high risk FN during intensive therapy in acute leukemia. Among 115 febrile episodes, though 94 (81.7%) had indwelling central venous catheter (CVC) at the time of diagnosis of FN, infective foci clinically were identified in 70.4% of episodes, with lung as the major site (25.2%) followed by CVC (17.4%). Microbiological documentation was possible in 33% (n = 40) episodes. Gram-negative bacteria isolates were 58.3% and Gram-positive isolates were 41.7% of which Pseudomonas was the predominant Gram-negative and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common Gram-positive isolate. Piperacillin-tazobactam + amikacin were used as first line antibiotic in 93% episodes and second line antibiotics were necessary in 73% episodes. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor was used in 60.9% episodes of high risk FN mostly in acute myeloid leukemia consolidation patients. Eighteen episodes (15.7%) were assigned to have invasive fungal disease. Eleven (9.6%) out of 115 high risk FN had a fatal outcome. Presence of pulmonary infection predicted for fatal outcome (P = 0.02). This study reports the outcome of high risk FN in patients with acute leukemia undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Gram-negative isolates are highly sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactum and hence in a cost restraint scenario, carbapenems needs to be judiciously used. Focus of Infection in lungs during FN predicted higher fatal outcomes.