The role of antibacterial prophylaxis in high-risk neutropenia: benefits, risks, and current perspectives

ABP, most frequently FQP, has been introduced since the 1980s with the aim of reducing rates of infection and mortality. While older meta-analyses support its efficacy in reducing episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN), BSI and most importantly mortality, more recent data report lack of benefit on mortality, and negative impacts such as rising antimicrobial resistance, and in the broader literature, safety concerns for FQP. The role of ABP in neutropenia has been increasingly questioned and should be considered at a center-by-center and an individual-patient level.