[Management of febrile neutropenia]

Febrile neutropenia is a medical emergency requiring rapid and rigorous management considering the risk of severe infection. Febrile neutropenia is a frequent complication in patients receiving chemotherapy. Initial assessment is vital in order to decide the follow-up (outpatient treatment, conventional care or intensive care unit) and to initiate adapted antibiotic therapy as soon as possible. Depending on the infectious syndrome (clinically documented, microbiologically documented or undocumented), antibiotic therapy should be adapted or discontinued, considering the recovery from aplasia and absence of fever. Antifungal agents are not systematically used and its use should be discussed according to the context. G-CSF should be used prophylactically, and is not an adjunct to antibiotic therapy for febrile neutropenia. Granulocyte transfusions are exceptionnally indicated and its use should be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Standard precautions are adequate for the majority of patients, with the exception of specific situations.