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Review
. 2024 Sep;41(6):432-448.
doi: 10.1080/08880018.2024.2353888. Epub 2024 Jul 8.

Levofloxacin prophylaxis in pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a literature review

Jane Koo  1   2 , Jeffrey Hord  3 , Craig Gilliam  4 , Mary Lynn Rae  5 , Katherine Staubach  6 , Katherine Nowacki  6 , Anne Lyren  7 , Maitreya Coffey  8 , Christopher E Dandoy  1   2   6
Affiliations
Review

Levofloxacin prophylaxis in pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a literature review

Jane Koo et al. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children and young adults receiving chemotherapy for malignancy or undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly used to decrease the risk of BSI; however, antibiotics carry an inherent risk of complications. The aim of this manuscript is to review levofloxacin prophylaxis in pediatric oncology patients and HSCT recipients. We reviewed published literature on levofloxacin prophylaxis to prevent BSI in pediatric oncology patients and HSCT recipients. Nine manuscripts were identified. The use of levofloxacin is indicated in neutropenic children and young adults receiving intensive chemotherapy for leukemia or undergoing HSCT. These results support the efficacy of levofloxacin in pediatric patients with leukemia receiving intensive chemotherapy and should be considered in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT prior to engraftment.

Keywords: Blood stream infection; levofloxacin; pediatric bone marrow transplant; pediatric cancer; prophylaxis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure statement

The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Proposed algorithm of levofloxacin prophylaxis for pediatric oncology patients and stem cell transplant patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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