title: What is the predominant source of intravascular catheter infections?
abstract: The predominant source of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections has been a research and clinical question for more than 30 years. During that time, we've moved from the position of a single source predominating in all clinical scenarios to a more realistic appraisal that both skin at the insertion site and the catheter hub/connector (ie, an extraluminal and an intraluminal source of infection, respectively) are important and that maximally effective prevention programs must address both sources of infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903, USA. lmermel@lifespan.org
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mermel
mesh_terms: D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*