title: Thoracic catheter-related infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of local and systemic infection in a sample of patients catheterized with thoracic catheters (TCs) and to identify the prognostic factors for catheter-related infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study involving 48 patients (17 females and 31 males) catheterized with TCs between December of 2008 and March of 2009 in the Thoracic Surgery Department of the Adnan Menderes University Hospital, located in Aydin, Turkey. Blood samples for culture were collected from the distal end of each TC and from each of the 48 patients. We looked for correlations between positive culture and possible prognostic factors for catheter-related infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Culture results were positive in TC samples only for 3 patients, in blood samples only for 2, and in both types of samples for another 2. Advanced age correlated significantly with positive culture in TC samples and in blood samples (r = 0.512 and r = 0.312, respectively; p < 0.05 for both), as did prolonged catheterization (r = 0.347 and r = 0.372, respectively; p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between having undergone surgery and positive culture in TC samples only (p < 0.05). However, having an inoperable malignancy correlated with bacterial growth in blood and in TC samples alike (p < 0.05 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Risk factors, such as advanced age, prolonged catheterization, comorbidities, and inoperable malignancy, increase the risk of catheter-related infection. It is imperative that prophylaxis with broad-spectrum antibiotics be administered to patients who present with these risk factors and might be catheterized with a TC.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Hospital Universitário, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Adnan Menderes, Aydin, Turquia. ekremsenturk@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ekrem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Senturk
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Telli
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cokpinar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors