title: Infections caused by central venous catheters in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
abstract: We assessed infectious complications of long-term percutaneous central venous catheterization in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We evaluated 98 consecutive patients, accounting for 6,298 catheter days. Catheter-associated bacteremia occurred in 3% of patients, a rate of 0.128%/patient-catheter day. Only bacterial pathogens--Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Staphylococcus species--were isolated. Five patients had infection at the catheter exit site. The length of time catheters were indwelling was not significantly different in patients with and those without infections. Percutaneous, multiple-use central venous catheters are safe and well accepted by patients with AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunological Disorders, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Prichard
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kaplowitz
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Caillouet
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors