Outcomes of hospitalized neutropenic oncology patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections: focus on oral fluoroquinolone conversion

Abstract

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in neutropenic oncology patients. Few studies have been published in the last decade on treatment outcomes of neutropenic oncology patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia. In addition, there is a lack of data addressing the role of oral fluoroquinolones in this patient setting. Methods A retrospective chart review from 1999 to 2013 was conducted at a large academic medical center in neutropenic oncology patients with documented Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia, who were initially treated with intravenous anti-pseudomonal antibiotics and then converted to an oral anti-pseudomonal fluoroquinolone. Patients were evaluated for the rate of cure and for the time from onset of intravenous antibiotic therapy to conversion to oral fluoroquinolones. Results Twenty-nine patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia were evaluated. The median absolute neutrophil count at the time of the first positive blood culture was 50 cells/mm3, and the median duration of time below an absolute neutrophil count of 1000 cells/mm3 was five days. The change to oral fluoroquinolones occurred at a median (range) of six (2–18) days after initiation of intravenous antibiotics and at a median absolute neutrophil count of 2610 (110–24790) cells/mm3. The initial cure was 93.1%, while ultimate cure was 91.7%. Conclusion Converting to oral fluoroquinolones after initial intravenous antibiotic therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia in clinically stable neutropenic oncology patients appears to achieve successful outcomes. However, prospective trials are needed to validate these results in neutropenic oncology patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia who are converted to oral fluoroquinolones.