Fever in the neutropenic patient: Past lessons and future prospects Philip A Pizzo

The association of fever, neutropenia, and risk of infection began with the seminal observations of the individuals to whom this book is dedicated. It was Gerry Bodey who reported in the mid-1960s that a drop in the neutrophil count in cancer patients, especially when profound and protracted, is associated with a heightened risk for infection. When these infections go unrecognized or are not treated promptly, morbidity and mortality are significant. The first and perhaps most enduring impact on the infection-related mortality associated with fever and neutropenia emanated from the studies of Jean Klastersky in Europe and Stephen Schimpff in the USA, who demonstrated the role of early empiric antibiotic therapy in the management of fever and neutropenia.