Infecciones fúngicas invasoras en niños con cáncer y portadores de aplasia medular severa en nueve hospitales de la red PINDA, Chile. 2016-2020

Introducción: La infección fúngica invasora (IFI) es una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad en pacientes oncológicos pediátricos y portadores de aplasia medular (AM) severa. Objetivo: Describir la epidemiología de la IFI desde el año 2016 al 2020 en niños con cáncer y AM para evaluar la necesidad de profilaxis antifúngica. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico, en pacientes pediátricos con cáncer y AM severa. Se incluyeron IFI probables y probadas. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 57 casos de IFI, mediana de edad 9 años, 70% probadas y 30% probables. Hubo 42% de infecciones por levaduras y 56% por hongos filamentosos. Los sitios de infección más frecuentes fueron pulmón 38%, sangre 36% y rinosinusal 21%. La frecuencia global fue 5,4%; de ellas 21% en AM severa, 10% en leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA), 6,9% en recaída de LMA, 5,4% en recaída de leucemia linfática aguda (LLA), 3,8% en LLA. Las infecciones por hongos filamentosos predominaron en LMA, recaída de LMA. y AM severa. La mortalidad en pacientes con IFI fue de 11%. Conclusión: La frecuencia de IFI concuerda con la literatura médica. Recomendamos profilaxis antifúngica contra hongos filamentosos en pacientes con AM severa, LMA y recaída de LMA. Considerar en recaída de LLA de alto riesgo en etapa de inducción.

Background: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric oncology patients and severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Aim: To describe the epidemiology of IFI from 2016 to 2020 in children with cancer and SAA to assess the indication of antifungal prophylaxis. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective study of IFIs in pediatric oncology patients and SAA. Probable and proven IFIs were included. Results: Over the 5-year period, 57 IFIs were found, median age 9 years, 70% were proven and 30% were probable. Yeast infections were 42% and mold infections 56%. The most frequent infection sites were lung 38%, blood 36% and rhinosinusal 21%. The total IFI frequency was 5.4%, 21% in SAA, 10% in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 6.9% in relapsed AML, 5.4% in relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 3.8% in ALL. Mold infections were predominant in AML, relapsed AML, and SAA. IFIs mortality was 11%. Conclusion: Frequency of IFI was consistent with the literature. We strongly recommend antifungal prophylaxis against mold infections in patients with SAA, AML, and relapsed AML. Would consider in high risk ALL relapse in induction chemotherapy.

Consenso de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología para el manejo de episodios de neutropenia febril en adultos y niños con cáncer

El Comité de Infecciones en Inmunocomprometidos de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología presenta aquí una actualización en el Manejo de episodios de neutropenia febril en adultos y niños con cáncer, derivado de los grandes cambios ocurridos en los últimos años en el enfrentamiento de estos pacientes. Para estos efectos, un grupo multidisciplinario desarrolló recomendaciones en relación a: su enfrentamiento inicial, exámenes de laboratorio requeridos, el tratamiento antimicrobiano inicial empírico y frente a focos infecciosos conocidos, las infecciones fúngicas invasoras y profilaxis antimicrobiana.

The Committee of Infections in Immunocompromised Patients of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases presents an update in the Management of febrile neutropenia in adults and children with cancer. It comes from the significant changes that occurred in recent years in the confrontation of these patients. For which a multidisciplinary task force group developed recommendations in relation to their initial handling, laboratory exams required, the initial empirical antimicrobial treatment and in front of known infectious focus, invasive fungal infections and antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Bloodstream infection in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia induced by chemotherapy

Abstract Introduction Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a serious complication of cancer chemotherapy. The present study aimed to identify risk factors for documented infection in pediatric patients with FN and cancer. Methods This prospective cohort study included patients under 18 years from 2016 to 2018. Infection was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Results A total of 172 febrile neutropenic episodes were evaluated. From univariate analysis, the risk factors were: female gender; monocyte count < 100 cell/mm³, platelets < 50,000, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 90 mg/dl and hemoglobin < 7mg/dl at the onset of an episode; two or more episodes of FN, and; fever onset; positive blood culture at the fever onset. Independent risk factors according to the multivariate analysis were: CRP at the onset of a febrile episode > 90mg/dl, fever onset and first blood culture with a positive result. The lowest probability of infection was related to first episode and to platelets > 50,000 at the onset of fever. Conclusion A CRP > 90 at the onset of a febrile episode, platelets < 50,000, second episode or more, first fever episode during hospitalization and positive first blood culture were found to be associated with a higher risk of infection and they could be useful for the establishment of risk scores for infection in neutropenic children.

Uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI para prevenção de neutropenia: revisão de escopo / Uso del dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI para prevenir la neutropenia: revisión de alcance / Pegfilgrastim OBI device use for neutropenia prevention: a scoping review

Resumo Objetivo Mapear os cuidados em saúde do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector na prevenção de neutropenia em adultos com câncer em assistência domiciliar após quimioterapia ambulatorial. Métodos Revisão de escopo baseada na metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute . Foram incluídos somente estudos com adultos com câncer submetidos à quimioterapia ambulatorial. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS , PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO e Web of Science, além da literatura cinzenta ProQuest, Scielo, Banco de Dados em Enfermagem, Google Scholar, Open Grey, bula do medicamento e websites . Foram esgotadas as buscas nas referências dos estudos elegidos. Todos os estudos identificados foram exportados para o gerenciador de referências EndNote para organização e remoção das duplicadas. Utilizou-se o aplicativo web Rayyan para seleção das evidências. Os estudos foram selecionados por pares e de forma independente, sendo os conflitos solucionados por um terceiro pesquisador. Resultados Foram incluídos 10 artigos cujos resultados foram subdivididos nas categorias: adesão do paciente, opinião da equipe de saúde, carga de trabalho do paciente em tratamento do câncer e uso do dispositivo na prática clínica. O dispositivo apresenta poucas falhas e foi aceito pelas equipes de saúde e pacientes na maioria dos estudos. Conclusão Os principais cuidados em saúde para o uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector estão relacionados à técnica de preparo da pele onde o dispositivo será aplicado, o preparo e a administração do dispositivo. Além disso, salienta-se a importância da avaliação do conhecimento do paciente e seu familiar sobre o dispositivo, o fornecimento de todas as orientações necessárias, verbalmente e por escrito, de forma clara e objetiva, e a validação dessas informações, certificando-se que o paciente compreendeu todas elas e está seguro.

Resumen Objetivo Mapear los cuidados de la salud al utilizar el dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector para prevenir la neutropenia en adultos con cáncer en atención domiciliaria después de quimioterapia ambulatoria. Métodos Revisión de alcance basada en la metodología del Joanna Briggs Institute . Se incluyeron solamente estudios con adultos con cáncer sometidos a quimioterapia ambulatoria. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS , PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO y Web of Science, además de la literatura gris ProQuest, Scielo, Banco de Datos de Enfermería, Google Scholar, Open Grey, prospecto del medicamento y sitios web. Se concluyeron las búsquedas en las referencias de los estudios seleccionados. Todos los estudios identificados se exportaron al programa de gestión de referencias EndNote para organizarlas y remover las duplicadas. Se utilizó la aplicación web Rayyan para seleccionar las evidencias. Se seleccionaron los estudios por pares y de forma independiente, y los conflictos se solucionaron mediante un tercer investigador. Resultados Se incluyeron diez artículos cuyos resultados fueron subdivididos en las siguientes categorías: adhesión del paciente, opinión del equipo de salud, carga de trabajo del paciente en tratamiento de cáncer y uso del dispositivo en la práctica clínica. El dispositivo presenta pocas fallas y fue aceptado por los equipos de salud y por los pacientes en la mayoría de los estudios. Conclusión Los principales cuidados de la salud para el uso del dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector se relacionan con la técnica de preparación de la piel donde se aplicará el dispositivo, la preparación y la administración del dispositivo. Además, se destaca la importancia de la evaluación de conocimientos del paciente y su familiar sobre el dispositivo, la entrega de todas las instrucciones necesarias, verbalmente y por escrito, de forma clara y objetiva, la validación de la información y la verificación de que el paciente haya comprendido todo y esté seguro.

Abstract Objective To map the health care of Pegfilgrastim On-body Injector in neutropenia prevention in adults with cancer in home care after outpatient chemotherapy. Methods This is a scoping review based on the JBI methodology. Only studies with adults with cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy were included. The search was carried out in the Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO and Web of Science databases, in addition to gray literature ProQuest, SciELO, Database in Nursing, Google Scholar, Open Grey, drug leaflet and websites. The searches in the references of selected studies were exhausted. All identified studies were exported to the EndNote reference manager for organization and removal of duplicates. The Rayyan web application was used for evidence selection. The studies were selected by pairs independently, with conflicts resolved by a third researcher. Results A total of 10 articles were included, whose results were subdivided into categories: patient compliance, health team opinion, patient workload in cancer treatment and device use in clinical practice. The device has few flaws and was accepted by health care teams and patients in most studies. Conclusion The main health care for Pegfilgrastim On-body Injector use is related to the skin preparation technique where the device will be applied, in addition to device preparation and administration. Moreover, the importance of assessing the knowledge of patients and their family about the device is highlighted, providing all the necessary guidelines, verbally and in writing, clearly and objectively, and validating this information, making sure that patients have understood all of them and are safe.

A multimodal strategy to improve health care for pediatric patients with cancer and fever in Peru / Una estrategia multimodal para mejorar la atención médica de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer y fiebre en Perú / Uma estratégia multimodal para melhorar a prestação de serviços de saúde para pacientes pediátricos com câncer e febre no Peru

ABSTRACT Objective. The DoTT (Decreasing Time to Therapy) project aimed to minimize the interval between fever onset and medical interventions for children with febrile neutropenia. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of implementing the DoTT project on the hospital time to antibiotic (TTA) and patient time to arrival (PTA) at the hospital in children with febrile neutropenia admitted to the emergency department. Methods. The DoTT project was implemented at a Peruvian hospital and followed the World Health Organization (WHO) multimodal improvement strategy model. Components included creating a healthcare delivery bundle and antibiotic selection pathways, training users of the bundle and pathways, monitoring patient outcomes and obtaining user feedback, encouraging use of the new system, and promoting the integration of DoTT into the institutional culture. Emergency room providers were trained in the care delivery for children with cancer and fever and taught to use the bundle and pathways. DoTT was promoted via pamphlets and posters, with a view to institutionalizing the concept and disseminating it to other hospital services. Results. Admission data for 129 eligible patients in our registry were analyzed. The TTA and PTA were compared before and after the DoTT intervention. The median TTA was 146 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 97-265 minutes) before the intervention in 99 patients, and 69 minutes (IQR 50-120 minutes) afterwards in 30 patients (p < 0.01). The median PTA was reduced from 1 483 minutes at baseline to 660 minutes after the intervention (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Applying the WHO multimodal improvement strategy model to the care of children with febrile neutropenia arriving at the hospital had a positive impact on the PTA and TTA, thus potentially increasing the survival of these patients.

RESUMEN Objetivo. El proyecto DoTT (Disminuyendo el tiempo a la terapia, sigla en inglés) busca minimizar el intervalo entre el inicio de la fiebre y las intervenciones médicas en la población infantil con neutropenia febril. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de la implementación del proyecto DoTT sobre el tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de la fiebre hasta la llegada del paciente (TLP) al hospital y el tiempo transcurrido en el hospital hasta la administración del antibiótico (TAA) en niños con neutropenia febril ingresados en el servicio de urgencias. Métodos. El proyecto DoTT se puso en marcha en un hospital peruano, según el modelo de estrategia multimodal de mejora de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Entre sus componentes se encontraban crear un conjunto de servicios de atención de salud y de algoritmos para la selección de antibióticos; capacitar a los usuarios en la utilización del conjunto de servicios y de los algoritmos; realizar un seguimiento de los resultados de los pacientes y recabar la opinión de los usuarios; fomentar el uso del nuevo sistema; y promover la integración del proyecto en la cultura institucional. Se capacitó al personal de la sala de urgencias en la atención de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer y fiebre, y en el uso del conjunto de servicios y de los algoritmos. Se informó sobre el proyecto DoTT mediante folletos y carteles, con vistas a institucionalizar el concepto y difundirlo a otros servicios hospitalarios. Resultados. Se analizaron los datos de ingreso de 129 pacientes de nuestro registro que cumplían con los requisitos. Se compararon el TAA y el TLP al hospital antes y después de la intervención con las pautas del proyecto DoTT. La mediana del TAA fue de 146 minutos (intervalo intercuartílico [II]: 97-265 minutos) en 99 pacientes antes de la intervención y de 69 minutos (II: 50-120 minutos) en 30 pacientes después de ella (p <0,01). La mediana del TLP disminuyó de 1 483 minutos en el momento de la evaluación inicial a 660 minutos después de la intervención (p <0,01). Conclusiones. La aplicación del modelo de estrategia multimodal de mejora de la OMS a la atención de la población infantil con neutropenia febril que acude al hospital tuvo un efecto positivo sobre el TLP y el TAA, lo que podría aumentar la supervivencia de estos pacientes.

RESUMO Objetivo. O projeto DoTT (Redução do Tempo para o Tratamento, na sigla em inglês) tem como objetivo reduzir ao máximo o intervalo entre o início da febre e as intervenções médicas em crianças com neutropenia febril. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da implementação do projeto DoTT no tempo desde o início da febre até a chegada do paciente (TCP) ao hospital e no tempo no hospital até a administração de antibióticos (TAA) em crianças com neutropenia febril admitidas no departamento de emergência. Métodos. O projeto DoTT foi implementado em um hospital do Peru e seguiu o modelo de estratégia de melhoria multimodal da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Os componentes incluíram a criação de um pacote de prestação de serviços de saúde e de protocolos de seleção de antibióticos, o treinamento de usuários no pacote e nos protocolos de seleção, o monitoramento da evolução dos pacientes e obtenção de feedback dos usuários, o incentivo ao uso do novo sistema e a promoção da integração do DoTT à cultura institucional. Os profissionais do pronto-socorro foram capacitados na prestação de cuidados a crianças com câncer e febre e no uso do pacote e dos protocolos de seleção. O DoTT foi divulgado por meio de panfletos e pôsteres, com o objetivo de institucionalizar o conceito e disseminá-lo para outros serviços hospitalares. Resultados. Foram analisados os dados de internação de 129 pacientes elegíveis em nosso registro. O TAA e o TCP foram comparados antes e depois da intervenção DoTT. O TAA mediano era de 146 minutos (intervalo interquartil: 97-265 minutos) antes da intervenção em 99 pacientes e de 69 minutos (intervalo interquartil: 50-120 minutos) depois da intervenção em 30 pacientes (p < 0,01). O TCP mediano diminuiu de 1483 minutos na linha de base para 660 minutos após a intervenção (p < 0,01). Conclusão. A aplicação do modelo de estratégia multimodal de melhoria da OMS ao atendimento de crianças com neutropenia febril que chegam ao hospital teve um impacto positivo no TCP e no TAA, potencialmente aumentando a sobrevida desses pacientes.

Febrile neutropenia incidence and the variable toxicity profile between brand and generic docetaxel in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide regimen

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the incidence of febrile neutropenia without primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis in patients undergoing chemotherapy with adjuvant docetaxel and cyclophosphamide, and to evaluate the toxicity profile of brand-name docetaxel (Taxotere ® ) and the generic formulation. Methods This retrospective study was conducted using data obtained from electronic medical records of patients treated at a Brazilian cancer center. Patients with breast cancer who underwent adjuvant treatment between January 2016 and June 2019 were selected. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher correlation of variables, and multivariate analyses were adjusted for propensity score. Results A total of 231 patients with a mean age of 55.9 years at the time of treatment were included in the study. The majority (93.9%) had luminal histology, 84.8% were at clinical stage I, and 98.2% had a good performance status. The overall incidence of febrile neutropenia in the study population was 13.4% (31 cases). The use of brand-name docetaxel (Taxotere ® ) was the only factor associated with febrile neutropenia occurrence (OR= 3.55, 95%CI= 1.58-7.94, p=0.002). Conclusion In patients with breast cancer who require treatment with adjuvant docetaxel and cyclophosphamide regimen, the toxicity profile differs between brand-name and generic docetaxel. Regardless of the formulation used, the incidence of febrile neutropenia was less than 20%, which may allow for the omission of primary prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use in this setting.

Prevalence of bloodstream infection pathogens in hemato-oncological patients and predictors of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections during febrile neutropenia

ABSTRACT Background: Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative (CRGN) Bloodstream Infections (BSI) represent a therapeutic challenge, especially in the context of Febrile Neutropenia (FN) in cancer patients. Methods: We characterized pathogens causing BSI in patients aged ≥18 years who had undergone systemic chemotherapy for solid or hematological cancers between 2012 and 2021 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Predictors of CRGN were evaluated through a case-control analysis. Each case was matched to two controls from whom CRGN were not isolated and had the same sex and year of inclusion in the study. Results: From 6094 blood cultures evaluated, 1512 (24.8%) showed positive results. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 537 (35.5%) of the isolated bacteria, of which 93 (17.3%) were carbapenem-resistant. From 105 patients included in the case-control analysis, all cases had baseline hematological malignancies (60% acute myeloid leukemia). Variables related to CRGN BSI in Cox regression analysis were the first chemotherapy session (p<0.01), chemotherapy performed in the hospital setting (p = 0.03), intensive care unit admission (p<0.01), and CRGN isolation in the previous year (p<0.01). Patients with CRGN BSI received 75% less empirical active antibiotics and had 27.2% higher 30-day mortality rates than controls. Conclusions: A CRGN risk-guided approach should be considered for empirical antibiotic therapy in patients with FN.

Safety of levofloxacin as an antibiotic prophylaxis in the induction phase of children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an interim analysis of a randomized, open-label trial in Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: Despite high cure rates, treatment-related mortality in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains significant. About 4% of patients die during remission induction therapy and approximately two-thirds of treatment-related deaths are due to infectious complications. Methods: From May 2021 to June 2022, children aged one through 18 years, with a recent diagnosis of ALL, admitted to three pediatric oncology centers in Brazil, were enrolled in this multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase 3 clinical trial. Eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups, based on a 1:1 allocation ratio, to receive, or not, levofloxacin as a prophylactic agent during the induction phase. All patients were treated according to the IC-BFM 2009 chemotherapy protocol. Primary endpoints were carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) colonization, Clostridioides difficile diarrhea, and other adverse events related to the use of levofloxacin. The secondary endpoint was febrile neutropenia during induction. The median follow-up was 289 days. Results: Twenty patients were included in this trial, 10 in each group (control and levofloxacin). Mild adverse reactions related to levofloxacin were observed in three patients (30%). Three patients had Clostridioides difficile diarrhea, two in the levofloxacin group and one in the control group (p > 0.99). Only one patient presented colonization by CPE. This patient belonged to the levofloxacin group (p > 0.99). Nine patients presented febrile neutropenia, five in the control group and four in the levofloxacin intervention group (p > 0.99), one patient died due to febrile neutropenia. Conclusion: The use of levofloxacin was shown to be safe in the induction phase in children with de novo ALL. The use of this medication did not increase the rate of colonization by CPE nor the rate of diarrhea by C. difficile. All adverse reactions were mild and remitted either spontaneously or after switching medicine administration from oral to intravenous route.

Consensus on clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in China (2023 edition) / 中华肿瘤杂志

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) is a common hematological adverse events and dose-limiting toxicities of chemotherapy. CIN may lead to dose reduction and delay of chemotherapeutic agents, febrile neutropenia and severe infection, which results in increased treatment cost, reduced efficacy of chemotherapy, and even life-threatening morbidities. Assessment of risk of CIN, early detection of FN and infection, and proper prevention and treatment play a crucial role in reducing the occurrence of CIN-related morbidities, improving patient treatment safety and anticancer efficacy. Based on evidence and expert opinion, the expert committee of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association issued "the consensus on diagnosis and treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in China (2023 edition)", which is an update version of the 2019 edition, aiming to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of CIN for Chinese oncologists.

Evaluation of chemotherapeutic regimen and associated adverse drug reactions of colorectal cancer in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cause of death diagnosed in both men and women. Though there are modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for CRC. cancer patients encounter chemotherapy- associated drug interactions and adverse drug reactions hence the need for such a study will help the professionals to improve the patient’s quality of life. Materials and Methods: A six-month retrospective study of 130 patients who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria was conducted by collecting data from November 2020 to May 2021. Data was collected from the Mediware system of the hospital using specially designed data collection forms. Results: Out of 130 patients, 61.51% were male and most of the patients were more than 60 years old. In this study, 11 patients had a history of smoking and alcoholism and 4% had a family history of CRC. Comorbidities associated with CRC were HTN and DM. In the study, stage 4 cancer patients were found to be more. 77.69% of patients had received chemotherapy along with surgery, and the most commonly prescribed regimen was Capcetabine and OxaliplatinThe length of hospital stay was increased for the FOLFOX (Oxaliplatin, 5-Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin) regimen. The common ADR analyzed was constipation, followed by vomiting and neutropenia, and most ADRs were associated with the CAPOX regimen (diarrhea) and treated accordingly.10 patients had febrile neutropenia, 5 patients had grade 4 neutropenia and all were treated with antibiotics and filgrastim. Febrile neutropenia was seen in patients with metastasis. Conclusion: Timely and appropriate treatment for ADRs and early screening can improve the quality of life of individuals. Further studies on this topic will help to improve the treatment quality provided by professionals

Factores de riesgo de bacteriemia en niños con cáncer y neutropenia febril / Risk factors for bacteremia in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia

La bacteriemia representa una importante causa de morbimortalidad en pacientes oncológicos. Durante el episodio de neutropenia inducida por quimioterapia, un 15%­25% de los pacientes tendrá bacteriemia. Objetivo: identificar factores de riesgo asociados con bacteriemia en pacientes oncológicos pediátricos con neutropenia y fiebre. Material y métodos: estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con enfermedades hematooncológicas y neutropenia febril, internados en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad entre julio de 2018 y mayo de 2019. Se excluyeron receptores de trasplante de médula ósea. Se compararon las características clínicas según se documentara bacteriemia (B) o no. Resultados: Se incluyeron 160 pacientes (p). Eran varones 93 (58%). La mediana de edad fue 81,5 meses (RIC 36-127,5). La enfermedad de base (EB) más frecuente fue: leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) 88 (55%). Se identificaron 20 (12,5%) pacientes con bacteriemia (B). En el análisis univariado hubo asociación entre B y LMA (p=0,003) y la internación en UCI (p=0,0001). En el modelo multivariado, ajustado por el resto de las variables, se identificaron la LMA (OR 8,24, IC95% 2,5-26,4; p<0,001) y la tiflitis (OR 5,86, IC95% 1,2-27,3; p=0,02) como factores relacionados con bacteriemia. Los principales microorganismos identificados fueron: estreptococos del grupo viridans 6 (30%), Escherichia coli 4 (20%) y estafilococos coagulasa negativos 3 (15%). Quince (75%) fueron bacteriemias secundarias a un foco clínico. El foco más frecuente fue el mucocutáneo (n=7, 35%). En esta cohorte de niños con cáncer y neutropenia febril, los factores asociados con bacteriemia fueron: la LMA, la tiflitis y la internación en UCI (AU)

Bacteremia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in oncology patients. During an episode of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, 15%-25% of patients will develop bacteremia. Objective: to identify risk factors associated with bacteremia in pediatric oncology patients with neutropenia and fever. Material and methods: prospective cohort study. Patients with hematology-oncology diseases and febrile neutropenia, admitted to a tertiary-care pediatric hospital between July 2018 and May 2019 were included. Bone marrow transplant recipients were excluded. Clinical characteristics were compared according to whether or not bacteremia was recorded. Results: 160 patients were included of whom 93 (58%) were male. Median age was 81.5 months (IQR 36-127.5). The most common underlying disease was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 88 patients (55%). Twenty (12.5%) patients with bacteremia were identified. In univariate analysis, an association was found between bacteremia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (p=0.003) and ICU admission (p=0.0001). In the multivariate model, adjusted for the remaining variables, AML (OR 8.24; 95%CI 2.5-26.4; p<0.001) and typhlitis (OR 5.86; 95%CI 1.2-27.3; p=0.02) were identified as factors related to bacteremia. The main microorganisms identified were viridans group streptococci in 6 (30%), Escherichia coli in 4 (20%), and coagulase negative staphylococci in 3 (15%). In 15 cases (75%), bacteremia was secondary to a clinical focus. The most frequent focus was mucocutaneous (n=7, 35%). In this cohort of children with cancer and febrile neutropenia, the factors associated with bacteremia were AML, typhlitis, and ICU admission (AU)

Reactivación de la enfermedad de Chagas después de trasplante autólogo de progenitores hematopoyéticos. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Chagas disease reactivation after autologous stem cell transplant. Case report and literature review

Introducción. La enfermedad de Chagas es una parasitosis endémica en Latinoamérica transmitida por triatominos. Está asociada a factores de riesgo como la pobreza y la ruralidad. Después de la infección aguda, un tercio de los pacientes presenta compromiso del corazón, el aparato digestivo o el sistema nervioso central, en tanto que los dos tercios restantes no presentan este tipo de compromiso secundario. La inmunosupresión farmacológica rompe el equilibrio entre el sistema inmunitario y el parásito, lo cual favorece su reactivación. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 58 años procedente de un área rural colombiana, con diagnóstico de mieloma múltiple resistente a los fármacos de primera línea de tratamiento, que requirió un nuevo esquema de quimioterapia y consolidación con trasplante autólogo de células madre. Después del trasplante, presentó neutropenia febril. Los estudios microbiológicos iniciales fueron negativos. En el frotis de sangre periférica, se demostraron tripomastigotes y se diagnosticó enfermedad de Chagas aguda posterior al trasplante. Se inició el tratamiento con benznidazol. La evolución del paciente fue satisfactoria. Conclusiones. La serología positiva para Chagas previa a un trasplante obliga a descartar la reactivación de la enfermedad en caso de neutropenia febril. Se requieren más estudios para determinar las herramientas que permitan estimar la probabilidad de reactivación de la enfermedad y decidir sobre la mejor opción de relación entre costo, riesgo y beneficio de la terapia profiláctica.

Introduction: Chagas disease is an endemic parasitic infection in Latin America transmitted by triatomines. It is associated with risk factors such as poverty and rurality. After acute infection, a third of patients will present target organ involvement (heart, digestive tract, central nervous system). The remaining two thirds remain asymptomatic throughout their life. Pharmacological immunosuppression breaks the balance between the immune system and the parasite, favoring its reactivation. Clinical case: We present the case of a 58-year-old man from a Colombian rural area with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma refractory to the first line of treatment who required a new chemotherapy scheme and consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant. During the post-transplant period, he suffered from febrile neutropenia. Initial microbiological studies were negative but the peripheral blood smear evidenced trypomastigotes in blood. With a diagnosis of acute Chagas disease in a post-transplant patient, benznidazole was started. The evolution of the patient was satisfactory. Conclusions: Positive serology prior to transplantation makes it necessary to rule out reactivation of the pathology in the setting of febrile neutropenia. More studies are required to determine tools for estimating the probability of reactivation of the disease and defining the best cost-risk-benefit relation for the prophylactic therapy.

Generalidades de las principales urgencias en el paciente oncológico: revisión de tema / Overview of the main emergencies in cancer patients: Review / Generalidades das principais urgências no paciente oncológico: revisão de tema

Las urgencias oncológicas son complicaciones comunes de la evolución natural del tumor o de su manejo. Algunas pueden presentarse de manera sutil y ser pasadas por alto, lo que aumenta la morbimortalidad. El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es recopilar información actualizada de las principales complicaciones oncológicas, para ello se realizó una revisión de artículos originales, revisiones sistemáticas y narrativas en bases de datos como Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect y en el buscador Google Scholar. Se seleccionaron 63 referencias que mostraran información relevante acerca de las urgencias oncológicas planteadas para el desarrollo del artículo. En la revisión se discute que las complicaciones pueden clasificarse de acuerdo con su origen en infecciosas (neutropenia febril), metabólicas (síndrome de lisis tumoral e hipercalcemia maligna) y obstructivas (síndrome de vena cava superior, obstrucción intestinal, compresión medular y taponamiento cardiaco). El diagnóstico requiere un alto índice de sospecha, el médico debe tener la capacidad resolutiva y el conocimiento necesarios para el manejo y hacer uso racional de los recursos diagnósticos. Es necesario adoptar medidas terapéuticas que impacten positivamente en el pronóstico y que reduzcan la morbimortalidad.

Oncological emergencies are common complications resulting from the natural evolution of the tumor or its management; however, some of them may be subtle or even overlooked, which contributes to greater morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to gather updated information on the main oncological complications. A narrative literatura review was performed by searching for original articles, systematic reviews and narratives, in databases such as Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect and in the Google Scholar search engine. 63 references were selected that addressed relevant information about the oncological emergencies raised for the development of the article. According to their origin, complications can be classified into infectious (febrile neutropenia), metabolic (tumor lysis syndrome and malignant hypercalcemia) and obstructive (superior vena cava syndrome, intestinal obstruction, spinal cord compression and cardiac tamponade). Facing these complications requires a high level of suspicion; the physician must be able to resolve each complication and have the necessary knowledge to approach each case, with a rational use of diagnostic resources. It is also necessary to adopt therapeutic measures that positively impact patients. patient prognosis, decreasing morbidity and death.

As urgências oncológicas são complicações comuns da evolução natural do tumor ou do seu manejo. Algumas podem apresentar-se de maneira sutil e ser passadaspor encima, o que aumenta a morbimortalidade. O objetivo desta revisão narrativa é recopilar informação atualizada das principais complicações oncológicas, para isso se realizou uma revisão de artigos originais, revisões sistemáticas e narrativas em bases de dados como Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect e no buscador Google Scholar. Se selecionaram 63 referências que mostraram informação relevante sobre às urgências oncológicas apresentadas para o desenvolvimento do artigo. Na revisão se discuteque as complicações podem classificar-se de acordo com a sua origem em infecciosas (neutropenia febril), metabólicas (síndrome de lise tumoral e hipercalcemia maligna) e obstrutivas (síndrome de veia cava superior, obstrução intestinal, compressão medular e entupimento cardíaco). O diagnóstico requere um alto índice de suspeita, o médico deve ter a capacidade resolutiva e o conhecimento necessário para o manejo e fazer uso racional dos recursos diagnósticos. É necessário adotar medidas terapêuticas que impactem positivamente no prognóstico e que reduzam a morbimortalidade.

Neutropenia febril inducida por metimazol

Resumen: Los antitiroideos de síntesis como el metimazol, tienen como uno de sus eventos adversos la neutropenia. Si bien la misma es de baja frecuencia (0.1 - 1%), pueden conducir a infecciones graves con una mortalidad que llega al 4%. El mecanismo patogénico no está claro, se plantean una serie de alteraciones inmunológicas. El tratamiento consiste en la suspensión inmediata del medicamento y el tratamiento del proceso infeccioso. Se presentan dos casos clínicos que se manifiestan una con una infección de piel y partes blandas, y la otra con una neumopatía aguda comunitaria, constatándose una neutropenia febril severa que se vincula al uso de metimazol.

Abstract: Synthetic antithyroid drugs us methimazole have neutropenia as one of their adverse events. Although it is of low frequency (0.1 - 1%), it can lead to serious infections with a mortality rate of up to 4%. The pathogenic mechanism is not clear, a series of immunological alterations are proposed. The treatment consists of the immediate suspension of the medication and the treatment of the infectious process. Two clinical cases are presented that manifest one with a skin and soft tissue infection, and the other with an acute community lung disease, confirming a severe febrile neutropenia that is linked to the use of methimazole.

Resumo: Drogas antitireoidianas sintéticas como metimazol, têm a neutropenia como um de seus eventos adversos. Embora seja de baixa frequência (0,1 - 1%), pode levar a infecções graves com taxa de mortalidade de até 4%. O mecanismo patogênico não está claro, uma série de alterações imunológicas são propostas. O tratamento consiste na suspensão imediata da medicação e no tratamento do processo infeccioso. São apresentados dois casos clínicos que manifestam um com infecção de pele e tecidos moles e outro com doença pulmonar comunitária aguda, confirmando uma neutropenia febril grave associada ao uso de metimazol.

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in pediatric patients with oncohematological diseases

Abstract Introduction Invasive fungal diseases represent important causes of morbidity and mortality among pediatric oncohematological patients. Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis is a rare and aggressive disease that occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients. The mortality rate is high and therefore, accurate and early diagnosis is essential. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis among pediatric oncohematological patients and characterize them with confirmed diagnoses. Methods This was a retrospective study that analyzed the medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed with oncohematological diseases and suspected fungal infections, who were included after obtaining informed consent, from January to December 2017, in the pediatric unit of a tertiary university hospital. Data collected from medical record analysis included the following: underlying diagnosis, absolute neutrophil count, clinical presentation, culture and biopsy results, surgical procedures performed, survival and mortality. Results A total of 27 patients were evaluated, with three suspected cases of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. Histopathological and microbiological analyses confirmed two cases. In both cases, the pathogen isolated in the culture was Fusarium sp. The two confirmed cases were female, aged 12 and 14 years, both with an absolute neutrophil count of 10 cells/μL. The underlying disease of the first patient was acute myeloid leukemia (subtype M5), whereas the second patient presented idiopathic bone marrow aplasia. Conclusion Both confirmed cases of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis presented with constitutional symptoms and signs of nasal and sinusital inflammation. This demonstrates the importance of fever as a symptom in immunocompromised patients and it should prompt otorhinolaryngological investigation.

Cuidados no uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim On-body injector na profilaxia de neutropenia induzida por quimioterapia: revisão de escopo / Cautions in the use of the Pegfilgrastim On-body injector device in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: a scoping review

Introdução: A neutropenia febril induzida por quimioterapia é um fator de risco predisponente para infecção grave e aumenta a mortalidade do paciente com câncer. O uso de G-CSF é recomendado quando o risco de desenvolver neutropenia febril, decorrente do protocolo quimioterápico, é maior ou igual a 20%. Foi recentemente aprovado pela ANVISA uma nova apresentação de G-CSF, o Pegfilgrastim OBI. Dispositivo que conta com um sistema de aplicação automático que é ativado 27 horas após o término da quimioterapia. Objetivo: Mapear os cuidados em saúde para o uso do dispositivo "Pegfilgrastim OBI", na prevenção de neutropenia em pacientes adultos com câncer em assistência domiciliar após quimioterapia ambulatorial. Métodos: A revisão de escopo foi conduzida de acordo com a metodologia da Joanna Briggs Institute. A questão norteadora foi formulada a partir da estratégia PCC. Foram incluídos estudos com pacientes adultos com câncer submetidos à quimioterapia ambulatorial e excluídos estudos com pacientes internados. O protocolo da revisão de escopo foi registrado na organização Open Science Framework. A estratégia de busca foi desenvolvida a partir de descritores controlados e não controlados e foi realizada em 03 de junho de 2022 nas seguintes bases de dados: CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO e Web of Science. A busca também foi realizada na literatura cinzenta, incluindo Google Scholar, Open Grey, bula do medicamento e websites. Todos os estudos identificados nas bases de dados foram exportados para o gerenciador de referências bibliográficas (EndNote Desktop) para remoção das duplicadas e importados para o aplicativo web Rayyan para realização da seleção das fontes de evidências por pares e às cegas. Resultados: A busca nas bases de dados resultou em 301 artigos que após o processo de seleção resultaram em 11 artigos incluídos. Os resultados foram subdivididos em 4 categorias: adesão do paciente, opinião da equipe de saúde, carga de trabalho do paciente em tratamento oncológico e o uso do dispositivo na prática clínica. O dispositivo apresenta poucas falhas e é aceito pela equipe de saúde e pacientes na maioria dos estudos. O principal benefício do uso do Pegfilgrastim OBI foi o paciente não precisar retornar na clínica no dia seguinte. Já a segunda parte dos resultados foi proveniente das buscas em sites, bulas e manuais e os dados foram exibidos por meio de dois mapas conceituais detalhados. O primeiro mapa conceitual resumiu as informações ao paciente em uso de PegFilgrastim OBI, descrevendo sobre o que é o dispositivo, como é colocado na clínica, os cuidados que o paciente precisa ter em casa e como é realizado a retirada e descarte após aplicação. Já o segundo mapa conceitual resumiu os cuidados que a equipe de enfermagem precisa ter na aplicação e contém informações de como avaliar o local de aplicação, como preparar o dispositivo, etapas da aplicação e o monitoramento do paciente em casa. Conclusão: Compreender os cuidados em saúde no uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI otimiza o trabalho da equipe de saúde, favorece melhorias na prática clínica e inclui o paciente com câncer no centro do cuidado

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia is a predisposing risk factor for severe incidence and increased cancer patient mortality. The use of G-CSF is recommended when the risk of developing febrile neutropenia, resulting from the chemotherapy protocol, is greater than or equal to 20%. A new presentation of G-CSF, Pegfilgrastim OBI, was recently approved by ANVISA. Device that has an automatic application system that is activated 27 hours after the end of chemotherapy. Objective: Mapping health care for the use of the "Pegfilgrastim OBI" device in the prevention of neutropenia in adult cancer patients receiving home care after outpatient chemotherapy. Methods: The scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The guiding question was formulated from the PCC strategy. Studies with adult cancer patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy were included and studies with inpatients were excluded. The scope review protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework organization. The search strategy was developed from controlled and uncontrolled descriptors and was performed on June 3, 2022 in the following databases: CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO and Web of Science. The search was also performed in the gray literature, including Google Scholar, Open Grey, drug leaflet and websites. All studies identified in the databases were exported to the bibliographic reference manager (EndNote Desktop) to remove duplicates and imported into the Rayyan web application to carry out the selection of evidence sources by peers and blindly. Results: The search in the databases resulted in 301 articles which, after the selection process, resulted in 11 articles included. The results were subdivided into 4 categories: patient adherence, opinion of the health team, workload of the patient undergoing cancer treatment and the use of the device in clinical practice. The device has few flaws and is accepted by the healthcare team and patients in most studies. The main benefit of using Pegfilgrastim OBI was that the patient did not have to return to the clinic the next day. The second part of the results came from searches on websites, package inserts and manuals and the data were displayed through two detailed concept maps. The first concept map summarized the information for the patient using PegFilgrastim OBI, describing what the device is about, how it is placed in the clinic, the care that the patient needs to have at home and how the removal and disposal is performed after application. The second conceptual map summarized the care that the nursing team needs to take in the application and contains information on how to assess the application site, how to prepare the device, application steps and patient monitoring at home. Conclusion: Understanding health care in the use of the Pegfilgrastim OBI device optimizes the work of the health team, favors improvements in clinical practice and includes the cancer patient at the center of care

Comparison of different timing of empirical antifungal strategy in febrile neutropenic children with acute leukemia / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To compare the clinical value of early and deferred empirical antifungal strategies in febrile neutropenic children with acute leukemia.Methods:A total of 101 cases of febrile neutropenic children with acute leukemia hospitalized in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2019 to June 2021 were divided into two groups according to different empirical antifungal strategies.There were 41 cases in early group in which antifungal therapy was given within 4 days of fever, and 60 cases in deferred group in which antifungal therapy was not given within 4 days of fever.Outcomes such as time to stable defervescence, positive diagnosis rate of invasive fungal disease, incidence of severe pneumonia, rate of transference to PICU, exposure time and costs of antifungal agents, and infection-related hospitalization days were compared between two groups.Results:There were no significant differences in time to stable defervescence[5 (4, 7) days vs.5 (3, 7) days, P=0.986], positive diagnosis rate of invasive fungal disease[9.8%(4/41) vs.8.3%(5/60), P=1.000], incidence of severe pneumonia[19.5%(8/41) vs.10.0%(6/60), P=0.174], and rate of transference to PICU[2.4%(1/41)vs.0(0/60), P=0.406] between two groups.Exposure time of antifungal agents was longer in early group than that in deferred group[10 (6, 12)days vs.0 (0, 6)days, P<0.001]. Costs of antifungal agents were higher in early group than those in deferred group[0.78(0.51, 0.95)ten thousand yuan vs.0(0, 0.44)ten thousand yuan, P<0.001]. Infection-related hospitalization days were longer in early group than those in deferred group[16 (10, 21) days vs.9(6, 13)days, P<0.001]. Conclusion:For febrile neutropenic children with acute leukemia, clinical effect of early empirical antifungal strategy is not superior to that of deferred empirical antifungal strategy.Pediatricians should make reasonable antifungal decisions according to overall situation of patients.

Manejo de los episodios de neutropenia febril en niños con cáncer: consenso de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica 2021 / Management of episodes of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer: consensus of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 2021

Resumen El Comité de Infecciones en el Niño Inmunocomprometido de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica, entrega este documento de Consenso, llamado "Manejo de los episodios de neutropenia febril en niños con cáncer. Consenso de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica 2021". El documento contiene recomendaciones sobre aspectos de prevención, predicción, diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico de los episodios de fiebre y neutropenia, incluyendo recomendaciones específicas sobre: Análisis de ingreso; evaluación, ajustes y duración de terapias antimicrobianas; diagnóstico y manejo de infección fúngica invasora; análisis de los principales focos clínicos de infección; condiciones ambientales necesarias para hospitales que atienden niños con cáncer y quimioprofilaxis. Se ha puesto especial énfasis en entregar las mejores recomendaciones para optimizar el manejo de los episodios de fiebre y neutropenia en niños con cáncer, buscando la equidad y la excelencia a través de todos los centros que atienden estos pacientes en América Latina.

Abstract The Committee for Infections in Immunocompromised Children of Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica, presents this Consensus document, titled "Management of episodes of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer. Consensus of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica 2021". The document includes recommendations on prevention, prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of episodes of fever and neutropenia, including specific recommendations on: Analysis at admission; evaluation, adjustments and duration of antimicrobial therapies; diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infection; analysis of the main clinical source of infections; environmental conditions necessary for hospitals caring for children with cancer and chemoprophylaxis. Special emphasis has been placed on providing the best recommendations to optimize the management of episodes of fever and neutropenia in children with cancer, with equity and excellence through all the centers that treat these patients in Latin America.

Eficacia y seguridad del tratamiento empírico con piperacilina/tazobactan como monoterapia en episodios de neutropenia y fiebre en niños con cáncer: revisión sistemática y meta-análisis / Efficacy and safety of empirical treatment with piperacillin/tazobactan as monotherapy in episodes of neutropenia and fever in children with cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La neutropenia febril en niños con patología oncohematològica requiere un tratamiento empírico precoz y adecuado. Esta revisión sistemática se realizó para evaluar si piperacilina/tazobactam (PTZ) monoterapia es más efectiva y segura que los comparadores, en niños con episodios de neutropenia febril de causa oncológica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en Embase, MEDLINE utilizando los términos de búsqueda (('febrile neutropenia' OR hemato oncology OR haemato oncology OR 'immunocompromised host' OR 'immunocompromised patient' OR 'chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia') AND (piperacillin OR tazobactam OR 'piperacillin plus tazobactam' OR 'piperacillin/tazobactam' OR 'piperacillin-tazobactam' OR tazocin OR 'piperacillin-tazobactam drug combination')). El criterio de valoración de eficacia fue la incidencia de fracaso terapéutico. El punto final de seguridad fue la ausencia de cualquier efecto adverso (EA). RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 1.388 estudios, de los cuales se incluyeron 11 que cumplían los criterios de elegibilidad. Los estudios presentaron notable homogeneidad ( I 2 0%) y no se detectó sesgo de publicación (p 0,36). El riesgo de fracaso terapéutico de PTZ no fue mayor que en los comparadores (RR global: 0,94; IC95% 0,83 a 1,07) como tampoco lo fue, la incidencia de EA. CONCLUSIONES: El riesgo de fracaso terapéutico no fue superior para la PTZ como monoterapia frente a los comparadores

BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia in children with onco-hematological diseases is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and requires early and adequate empirical treatment. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate if piperacillin/ tazobactan (PTZ) monotherapy leads to a lower incidence of therapeutic failures than comparators. METHODS: A literature search was carried out in Embase, and MEDLINE databases using the search terms ('febrile neutropenia' OR hemato oncology OR haemato oncology OR 'immunocompromised host' OR 'immunocompromised patient' OR 'chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia') AND (piperacillin OR tazobactam OR 'piperacillin plus tazobactam' OR 'piperacillin/tazobactam' OR 'piperacillin-tazobactam' OR tazocin OR 'piperacillin-tazobactam drug combination')), Efficacy endpoint was treatment failure rate. The safety end-point was absence of any adverse effects (AE). RESULTS: Eleven studies were included. No heterogeneity was detected ( I 2 0%). The risk of failure was not superior for piperacillin/tazobactan to comparators (Global RR: 0.94; IC95% 0.83 a 1.07). Rates of adverse events were similar among studies. No publication bias was detected (p 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that treating episodes of febrile neutropenia in oncology pediatric patients, the risk of failure for PTZ was not superior to comparators. Adverse events were similar to the comparators.

Evaluation of risk stratification strategies in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia

Abstract Objective To evaluate the performance of risk stratification protocols for febrile neutropenia specific to the pediatric population. Methods Retrospective study of a cohort of pediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment with episodes of neutropenia due to chemotherapy and fever, treated at the emergency department of a tertiary cancer hospital from January 2015 to June 2017. Patients who were bone marrow transplant recipients and patients with neutropenia due to causes other than chemotherapy were excluded. Six protocols were applied to all patients: Rackoff, Alexander, Santolaya, Rondinelli, Ammann 2003, and Ammann 2010. The following outcomes were assessed: microbiological infection, death, ICU admission, and need for more than two antibiotics. The performance of each protocol was analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Results This study evaluated 199 episodes of febrile neutropenia in 118 patients. Microbiological infection was identified in 70 samples from 45 distinct episodes (22.6%), 30 patients used more than two antibiotics during treatment (15%), eight required ICU admission (4%), and one patient died (0.8%). Three protocols achieved high sensitivity indices and NPV regarding the outcomes of death and ICU admission: Alexander, Rackoff, and Ammann 2010; however, Rackoff showed higher sensitivity (0.82) and NPV (0.9) in relation to the microbiological infection outcome. Conclusion The Rackoff risk rating showed the best performance in relation to microbiological infection, death, and ICU admission, making it eligible for prospective evaluation.