Infection · UKMLA & AKT
Neutropenic sepsis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise neutropenic sepsis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
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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