title: Possible role of capillary action in pathogenesis of experimental catheter-associated dermal tunnel infections.
abstract: An animal model of vascular-catheter-associated dermal tunnel infections was developed to study the pathogenesis of such infections. Bacteria inoculated onto entry sites of catheters into skin could be identified by culture and Gram stain on the tips of plastic catheters (4 cm from the entry site) within 1 h of inoculation, whether the animal was inoculated at the time of insertion of the catheter or 1 week afterwards. Histological examination of dermal tunnels revealed that the introduction of bacteria preceded the development of tissue inflammation. Bacteria on entry sites of percutaneous catheters moved rapidly from the entry site into the dermal tunnel along the external catheter surface, perhaps suspended in a fluid phase and propelled by capillary action.
authors.affiliation: Infection Control Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Schiller
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hopkins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development