Infection · UKMLA & AKT
Neutropenic sepsis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Neutropenic sepsis = neutrophil count <0.5 x10⁹/L (or <1.0 x10⁹/L with expected rapid fall) + any feature of sepsis
- Most commonly complicates cytotoxic chemotherapy; neutrophil nadir typically 7-14 days post-cycle
- Mortality 2-21%; Gram-negative bacteraemia and fungal infection carry highest mortality
Every hour of delay to antibiotics is associated with measurable increases in mortality. NICE mandates empirical antibiotics within 1 hour of presentation.
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