血液疾患に合併した発熱性好中球減少症に対するmeropenem 1g1日3回投与の臨床的有用性

BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a very important cause of mortality in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy. In 2010 meropenem (MEPM) 3g per day was approved for the treatment of FN in Japan, however, there are not enough reports about 3g usage of MEPM in Japanese patients yet. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of MEPM 1g three times a day as empirical monotherapy for FN in hematological patients. METHODS: This is the retrospective cohort study involved inpatients at Fukui university hospital. Fifty-six patients received 3g MEPM from January 2010 to January 2011. The mean age was 64.2. The underlying diseases were acute leukemia in 33 cases, malignant lymphoma in 15 and myelodysplastic syndrome in 8. RESULTS: The response rate was 80% (excellent response: 62%, good response: 18%, minor response: 16%, no response: 4%). The febrile duration was average 4.18 days. Treatment did not need to be discontinued or interrupted due to adverse events in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that MEPM 1g three times per day is useful and tolerable therapy in Japanese FN patients