Malassezia furfur-related colonization and infection of central venous catheters. A prospective study in a pediatric intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of Malassezia furfur-related colonization and infection of central venous catheters.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
A paediatric intensive care unit at a University Hospital.


METHODS
66 newborns with central venous catheters for parenteral nutrition including lipid emulsions (Intralipid).


METHODS
When a central venous catheter was removed, it was rinsed with 1 ml of physiological saline, transported at ambient temperature to the clinical laboratory and cultured on Dixon's medium. The tip of the central venous catheter was used for a bacteriological study using Maki's technique. In case of suspected sepsis, blood cultures were obtained using an Isolator tube. RESULTS. 74 central venous catheters were included: mean duration of use of a central venous catheters and infusions of lipid emulsion (Intralipid) were 19.3 +/- 10 days and 8.6 +/- 8 days respectively. Only 2 central venous catheters (2.7%) were colonized by Malassezia furfur: (Mf) one in an asymptomatic newborn, and the other in an infected newborn with signs of sepsis, who most probably died at 4 months of age from refractory hypoxia due to pulmonary hypoplasia, but not from Mf sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of Malassezia furfur-related colonization of central venous catheters appears to be low but not negligible, which warrants the use of specific culture techniques.
Sizun
J
J
Pediatric Intensive Care and Neonatology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Brest, France.
Karangwa
A
A
Giroux
J D
JD
Masure
O
O
Simitzis
A M
AM
Alix
D
D
De Parscau
L
L
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008290:Malassezia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology*