Oral versus Intravenous Empirical Antimicrobial Therapy for Fever in Patients with Granulocytopenia Who Are Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

Combinations of β-lactams and aminoglycosides or monotherapy with ceftazidime or a carbapenem has been recommended as standard empirical therapy for fever in patients who have granulocytopenia as a result of cancer chemotherapy. 1 , 2 A number of prognostic factors have been identified, the most important of which are the type and stage of the underlying disease and the aggressiveness of cytotoxic chemotherapy. 3 – 11 Both factors have a strong influence on the duration and severity of granulocytopenia. As compared with patients who have granulocytopenia for an extended time, those in whom the duration of granulocytopenia is short may be at lower risk . . .