Ceftazidime monotherapy is as effective as ceftazidime combined with gentamicin in the treatment of febrile neutropenic patients

To evaluate the efficacy of ceftazidime monotherapy in the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenic patients, a randomized trial was performed of ceftazidime (C) vs. ceftazidime and gentamicin (C + G) with the addition of teicoplanin (T) for those patients with a long intravenous line-associated infection. Success without modification at the end of treatment was seen in 32·7% (C), 28·3% (C + G), 52·4% (C + T) and 65·2% (C + G + T). Monotherapy with ceftazidime is as effective as when used in combination with an aminoglycoside in neutropenia.