Pericatheter Tissue: A Niche for Bacteria?

A postmortem patient study showed higher bacterial counts in the tissue surrounding central venous and arterial catheters than on the catheters themselves.

Catheter-associated infections, most often caused by staphylococci, are a common problem. Many experts believe that the bacteria responsible for such infections reside directly on the catheter, within a protective biofilm. This view is now challenged by the results of an autopsy study performed in the Netherlands.

The investigation involved 35 central venous or arterial catheters from 18 patients who had died in the ICU. The catheters (in place for a mean of 133 hours before death) were excised on autopsy together with the surrounding tissue, and specimens were sent for quantitative culture. Thirteen of the catheters were antimicrobially coated.

Cultures from a catheter or the surrounding tissue were positive in nine instances (8 patients). T…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection