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. 1995;12(4):251–256. doi: 10.1007/BF02990570

Infections in neutropenic patients I: Aetiology

Per Engervall 1,✉, Magnus Björkholm 1,✉
PMCID: PMC7101772  PMID: 8832528

Abstract

Improvement in supportive care including the introduction of new antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal agents and haematopoietic growth factors have all contributed to a decreased chemotherapy-related mortality and morbidity in cancer patients. However, infections/septic shock during neutropenia still constitutes a major threat to these patients. Most patients develop fever during neutropenia and in 20–40% a manifest bacteremia is documented. In patients with prolonged neutropenia, the risk for fungal infections is increased. The spectrum of bacterial, fungal and viral infections in the neutropenic patient is reviewed.

Keywords: neutropenia, septicemia, fungal infections

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