Is “Shorter Better” for Neutropenic Patients with Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infections?

Retrospective observational study demonstrated no difference in outcomes among patients with cancer-related neutropenia receiving 7-day versus longer antimicrobial courses.

Over the past decade, the need for prolonged antibiotic courses has been questioned for many indications, with studies demonstrating comparable outcomes with shorter courses. For selected patients with gram-negative blood stream infection (GN-BSI), a 7-day antimicrobial course has been shown to be equivalent to longer courses. However, immunosuppressed patients often are not included in studies of shorter antimicrobial duration — and these patients might be at higher risk for relapse. Now, researchers at the Mayo Clinic Rochester have compared outcomes by length of antimicrobial treatment for GN-BSI in patients with neutropenia caused by cancer chemotherapy.

GN-BSI developed in 206 patients with neutropenia and cancer between 2018 and 2022. …

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Is “Shorter Better” for Neutropenic Patients with Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infections?

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Reviewing Author