A comparison of imipenem to ceftazidime with or without amikacin as empiric therapy in febrile neutropenic patients.

Background: Neutropenic patients with cancer are traditionally treated with empiric antibiotic combinations when they become febrile. The availability of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as ceftazidime and imipenem has made it possible to initiate therapy with a single agent (monotherapy). The objectives of this trial were to compare ceftazidime and imipenem as single agents for the therapy of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients and to ascertain whether the addition of an aminoglycoside (amikacin) to either of these agents would provide an advantage.

Spectrum and outcome of microbiologically documented listeria monocytogenes infections in cancer patients.

At the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston), Listeria monocytogenes was cultured from 14 patients between 1980 and 1987.

Serratia bacteremia: review of 118 cases.

A review was conducted of 118 episodes of serratia bacteremia in cancer patients during a 16-year period. The infection occurred most commonly in patients with acute leukemia. Most patients acquired the infection in the hospital, and 61% had received antibiotic therapy during the preceding 10 days.

Haemophilus species bacteremia in patients with cancer. A 13-year experience.

We reviewed the clinical and laboratory presentation of Haemophilus species bacteremia at our institution, with special attention to predisposing and prognostic factors. Of 36 cases, 18 presented with pneumonia, 1 with cellulitis, and another with sinusitis. No cases of meningitis or endocarditis were detected.

Nocardial infection in patients with neoplastic disease.

During the 13 years from 1974 through 1986, nocardial infection was diagnosed in 14 cancer patients treated at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston).