The impact of cefepime as first line therapy for neutropenic fever on Clostridium difficile rates among hematology and oncology patients

Anaerobe. 2013 Dec:24:79-81. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2013.10.001. Epub 2013 Oct 15.

Abstract

After changing empiric treatment of febrile neutropenia from meropenem to cefepime, the effect on Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was investigated. The change was assessed using an autoregressive model. A significant increase in CDI rates occurred following the introduction of cefepime. There may be an association between increased cefepime usage and CDI.

Keywords: Antimicrobial stewardship; Cefepime; Clostridium difficile; Neutropenic sepsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cefepime
  • Cephalosporins / adverse effects*
  • Cephalosporins / therapeutic use
  • Clostridioides difficile / drug effects
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Clostridium Infections / chemically induced
  • Clostridium Infections / epidemiology*
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / drug therapy*
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / etiology
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neutropenia / complications*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • Cefepime