ABSTRACT
Aim: To compare the efficacy of imipenem - cilastatine and ceftazidime - amikacin in the treatment of febril neutropenic patients. Design: Open prospective and randomized clinical study. Patients: 52 patients (26 females) aged 16 to 80 years old with 60 episodes of neutropenia were studied. They were randomly assigned to receive Imipenem - cilastatine in doses of 500 mg iv qid or the combination of ceftazidime 1 to 1.5 g iv tid and amikacin 7.5 mg/kg iv bid. Results: Global response to initial therapy was 53 percent in patients receiving imipenem - cilastatine and 37 percent in those receiving ceftazidime - amikacin (p=ns). When other antimicrobial were added, a 90 and 85 percent infection eradication success was achieved respectively. Six febrile episodes in the group receiving imipenem - cilastatine and 12 episodes in tha group receiving ceftazidime - amikacin had Gram positive cocci as the sole treatment outcome. Three patients receiving imipenem - cilastatine (10 percent) and 4 receiving ceftazidime - amikacin (13 percent) died. Superinfections and toxicity related to antibiotics were minimal in both groups. Conclusions: imipenem - cilastatine and the combination of ceftazidime with amikacin were equally effective in the treatment of febril episodes in neutropenic patients