Clinically Driven Diagnostic Antifungal Approach in Neutropenic Patients: A Prospective Feasibility Study

Purpose Preemptive strategies in neutropenic patients based on serum galactomannan (GM) –guided triggering of diagnostic work-up may be time-consuming and expensive when applied to the entire population. We have assessed the feasibility of a clinically driven diagnostic strategy without GM screening. Patients and Methods Patients with neutropenic fever underwent a baseline diagnostic work-up (BDWU; three blood cultures and other examinations as indicated). An intensive diagnostic work-up (IDWU; GM for 3 days, chest computed tomography and other examinations as indicated) was reserved for patients with 4 days of persisting or relapsing fever or with other clinical findings possibly related to an invasive fungal diseaser (IFD). Antifungal therapy was administered to patients diagnosed with IFD and empirically (negative IDWU) only to those with persisting neutropenic fever and worsening clinical conditions. Results Of 220 neutropenia episodes, fever occurred in 159 cases and recurred in 28 cases. Overall, 49...