Histopathology and bacteriology of postinfusion phlebitis.
Veins from patients with postinfusion phlebitis showed three types of histopathologic changes--mild, moderate and severe. Severe change was usually associated with thrombus formation. Bacterial culture of tips of devices used in infusion yielded only 10% of positive cultures. This supports the view that postinfusion phlebitis is probably due to an irritating foreign body type reaction rather than infection.
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology