title: Polyclonal Staphylococcus epidermidis intravascular catheter-related infections.
abstract: During a 4-month period we prospectively investigated the frequency of polyclonal catheter infections with Staphylococcus epidermidis. Of each catheter with pure growth of S. epidermidis, six colonies were genotypically analyzed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Two out of 12 patients with catheter infection had a polyclonal infection. Both clones of each catheter had a clearly different antibiotic susceptibility. This study shows that polyclonal catheter infections are not exceptional. Further studies are needed to define the clinical consequences of polyclonal catheter infection.
authors.affiliation: Inwendige geneeskunde, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gasthuisberg Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. bartrijnders@yahoo.com
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Rijnders
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Wijngaerden
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Eldere
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Peetermans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin