Viral isolates during febrile neutropaenia in children with cancer

We prospectively studied South African children with cancer for viral isolates during episodes of febrile neutropaenia. Viruses were found in seven (31.8 per cent) and bacteria in five (22.7 per cent) of 22 episodes. The most common isolate was the herpes simplex virus and the most common source was from nasopharyngeal aspirates. There was no dual detection of viral and bacterial isolates. This study emphasizes the important contribution of viruses to febrile neutropaenia.