title: The value of Gram staining of catheter segments for rapid detection of peripheral venous catheter infections.
abstract: Catheter-related bloodstream infections are common in hospitalized patients. Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are the most frequently used vascular access devices with usually low reported infection rates. We conducted a study to find the rate of PVC-related infections using semiquantitative (roll plate) and quantitative catheter culture techniques. We found significant growth in 9.5% of the PVCs by quantitative culture, which was predictive of a BSI in 43% of cases, which seems to be the major limitation of the method. We conclude that Gram stain is a fast and reliable diagnostic tool for rapid detection of PVC infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, 34303 Aksaray/Istanbul, Turkey. gokhanaygun67@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aygun
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasar
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Kadriye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karasahin
authors.forename: Yalim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dikmen
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polat
authors.forename: Asuman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sidan
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Altas
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005840:Gentian Violet; D006801:Humans; D010619:Phenazines; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: C035863:Gram's stain; D010619:Phenazines; D005840:Gentian Violet