Kenneth V. I. Rolston, MD

Neutropenia was recognized almost 3 decades ago as a major predisposing factor for the development of infection in patients with cancer [1]. The risk begins to increase when the neutrophil count drops below 1,000/mm³ and is greatest at counts of 100/mm³ or lower. At this level, approximately 20% of febrile episodes are caused by a bacteremic process [2].

With the advent of modern therapeutic and prophylactic regimens, bacterial infections have become more effectively controlled, while fungal and viral infections have emerged as more prominent complications in the management of immunocompromised patients.

Bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality for patients with hematologic malignancy. Antimicrobial drugs are the most reliable currently available treatment for infection, but several issues must be

Risk prediction in patients with neutropenia and fever in a reliable and timely manner has only become possible in the last decade. Patients have been categorized as high risk or low risk based on certain presenting