Pharmacoeconomic analysis of voriconazole vs. caspofungin in the empirical antifungal therapy of febrile neutropenia in Australia

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neutropenia, with the predominant infections being disseminated candidiasis and pulmonary aspergillosis. A definitive diagnosis of IFI is difficult, given the lack of sensitivity with the available diagnostic measures. In addition, once an IFI has been established, commencing antifungal therapy is often ineffective. Therefore, empirical antifungal therapy, initiated when patients are noted to have fever of unknown origin without definitive proof of IFI, is well established as the standard of care for patients with febrile neutropenia.