Half of Immunocompromised Sepsis Patients Lack Bacterial Infection

This retrospective chart review quantifies how often empiric antibiotics in immunocompromised emergency department patients treat a bacterial infection that was never present, sharpening the stewardship target for ICU pharmacists.

cefepimepiperacillin-tazobactamceftriaxonevancomycinmeropenemantimicrobial stewardshipsepsisimmunocompromised hostfebrile neutropeniabacterial infectionretrospective cohortcritical care Critical Care / ICU

Background Information

Immunocompromised sepsis patients often lack bacterial infection confirmation.

Timely identification of bacterial infections in immunocompromised patients with suspected sepsis is crucial due to their higher risk for adverse outcomes. Among immunocompromised patients, only 49.5% had definite or probable bacterial infections versus 59.1% in nonimmunocompromised patients. The study underscores the challenge of accurately diagnosing bacterial infections in immunocompromised individuals and suggests the need for improved diagnostic strategies. Half of immunocompromised patients treated for possible sepsis lacked bacterial infection.

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Authors: Gupta S, Millham L, DelloStritto L, Agan AA, McKenna C, Rhee C, Klompas M

Citation: Gupta S, Millham L, DelloStritto L, et al. Likelihood of Bacterial Infection in Immunocompromised Patients Treated With IV Antibiotics for Possible Sepsis. Critical care explorations. 2026;8(7):e1443. doi:10.1097/CCE.0000000000001443

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

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