Antibacterial prophylaxis

Abstract

Bacterial infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neutropenic patients. A number of prophylactic strategies have been used in order to reduce the risk of infection during severe granulocytopenia. The measures that have been investigated include isolation of the patient, granulocyte transfusion, active or passive immunisation, acceleration of granulocyte recovery and prophylactic use of antibacterial agents. However, many of these approaches have fallen out of favour, mostly because of concerns about the long lasting efficacy. This paper focuses on the available prophylactic strategies, with emphasis on the use of antibacterial agents.