Prophylaxis of neutropenic fever with ciprofloxacin in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with intensive chemotherapy

Aims Neutropenic fever is one of the most serious complications after induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Prophylaxis with antibiotics for prevention of neutropenic fever in AML is controversial and there are few studies on this issue from developing countries. Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical data and outcome of patients with AML who did or did not receive prophylactic ciprofloxacin 500 mg BD for neutropenic fever. Results A total of 69 AML patients were treated by “3 + 7” protocol for their first induction chemotherapy. Prophylaxis was given to 25 of them. Incidence of neutropenic fever was the same in both groups (80% vs 82%). Duration of fever and the mortality rate were also similar in both groups. Conclusion It seems that in developing countries, using prophylactic ciprofloxacin has no significant effect on the incidence of neutropenic fever and the outcome of the AML patients.