Cohort study of the pathogenesis and molecular epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infection in neonates with peripherally inserted central venous catheters.
OBJECTIVE
To better define the pathogenesis of catheter-related bloodstream infection (BSI) in neonates with peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) to guide the development of more effective strategies for prevention.


METHODS
Prospective nested cohort study.


METHODS
Level III neonatal intensive care unit in a community hospital.


METHODS
During a randomized trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a prophylactic vancomycin-heparin catheter-lock solution for the prevention of catheter-related BSI in neonates with PICCs, we performed cultures of peripheral and catheter-drawn blood samples, and quantitative cultures of catheter hub samples if BSI was suspected clinically. We performed semiquantitative cultures of the catheter tip and the catheter hub and the skin at the insertion site when the catheter was removed. Molecular subtyping by pulsed-field electrophoresis was used to determine the probable pathogenesis of all BSIs due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS); for BSIs caused by other microorganisms, epidemiologic concordance was based on speciation and antibiograms. Catheter-related BSI was considered extraluminally acquired if concordance was demonstrable solely between isolates recovered from the catheter tip and the blood, independent of concordance with isolates recovered from the insertion site. Catheter-related BSI was considered intraluminally acquired if concordance was demonstrated only between isolates recovered from the catheter hub and the blood. The source of the infection was considered indeterminate if both concordance patterns were present.


RESULTS
Nosocomial BSI was identified in 23 of the 82 neonates in the cohort. Fifteen of these infections, 14 of which were caused by CoNS, were considered definite or probable catheter-related BSIs. Catheter-related BSI was intraluminally acquired in 10 (67%) of 15 patients, extraluminally acquired in 3 (20%), and indeterminate in 2 (13%).


CONCLUSIONS
Most catheter-related BSIs in neonates with PICCs are caused by CoNS and derive from intraluminal contamination. Strategies for prevention of catheter-related BSI directed at this predominant mechanism of infection are most likely to be effective.
Garland
Jeffery S
JS
Department of Pediatrics, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Alex
Colleen P
CP
Sevallius
Jackie M
JM
Murphy
Dawn M
DM
Good
Mary J
MJ
Volberding
Annette M
AM
Hofer
Leslie L
LL
Gordon
Barbara J
BJ
Maki
Dennis G
DG
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000382:microbiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D016469:Fungemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic