Key clinical point: Antimicrobial prophylaxis significantly reduced rates of bloodstream infection (BSI), invasive fungal infection (IFI), and febrile neutropenia (FN) in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving chemotherapy.
Major finding: Episodes of BSI (Gram-negative: 5% vs. 12%, P = .002; Gram-positive: 1% vs. 5%; P = .024) and IFI (0% vs. 4%; P = .003) decreased significantly in the prophylaxis vs. preprophylaxis period. FN episodes during induction (78% vs. 99%) and high-dose (64% vs. 94%) or moderate-dose (27% vs. 58%) chemotherapy also reduced in prophylaxis vs. preprophylaxis period (all P < .001).
Study details: This observational study included 90 children with newly diagnosed AML receiving induction and postremission high- or moderate-dose chemotherapy. Antimicrobial prophylaxis administered in 28 patients consisted of ciprofloxacin, voriconazole, and vancomycin.
Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. The authors declared no conflict of interests.
Source: Yeh TC et al. Sci Rep. 2021;11: 21142 (Oct 27). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-00725-5.