Re-thinking treatment strategies for febrile neutropenia in paediatric oncology population: A perspective from a developing country.

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological profile of bacterial isolates in febrile neutropenia in a pediatric oncology unit, thereby, reviewing the use of restricted antibiotics and need for aggressive medical treatment accordingly.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a paediatric haemat-oncology division of a tertiary care teaching hospital in southern India from September 2014 to August 2016. Children with febrile neutropenia were enrolled in the study. Blood cultures were performed using automated system. Cultures from other sites were obtained if needed, based on the clinical profile. Standard antibiotic susceptibility testing was done. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS.Results: One hundred and thirty children were enrolled for the study. Two hundred and fifty episodes of febrile neutropenia were studied. Three hundred and eighty four cultures were sent and 92 (24%) cultures were positive. There were 52.2% gram negative isolates followed 35.8% gram positive isolates, 6.5% fungal isolates and 5.5% poly-microbial cultures. Lactose fermenting gram negative bacteria (29 isolates, 31.5%) were the most frequently isolated in the gram negative group, with Escherichia coli being the most common organism (19 isolates, 20.6%). Amongst gram positive coagulase negative staphylococcus (CONS) was the most common (29%). Escherichia coli and NFGNB had only 36%, 25% sensitivity to ceftazidime respectively. Most gram negative bacteria were found to have better sensitivity to amikacin (mean: 57). There was a higher prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organisms. 36 out of 48 GNB were found to be either multi/extremely/pan drug resistant. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were often drug resistant. Significantly higher mortality was associated with gram negative isolates (61.5%)Conclusions: In view of higher prevalence of gram negative isolates and emergence of multi drug resistance, frequent audits of resistance patterns should guide the choice of antimicrobials in febrile neutropenia management. Our results show the importance of surveillance, monitoring resistance frequencies and identifying risk factors specific to each region. Given that significant mortality is attributed to drug resistant gram negative bacteria, early initiation of appropriate antibiotics to cover for drug resistance is required while formulating empirical antibiotic policies for febrile neutropenia in the oncology units in the developing world.