title: Defining bloodstream infections related to central venous catheters in patients with cancer: a systematic review.
abstract: The objective of this review was to determine whether consistent definitions were used in published studies of bloodstream infections due to central venous catheters in patients with cancer (ie, catheter-related or catheter-associated bloodstream infections). Review of 191 studies reporting catheter-related or catheter-associated bloodstream infections in patients with cancer revealed a lack of uniformity in these definitions. We grouped definitions by type, with 39 articles failing to cite or report a definition. Definitions included those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n = 39) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (n = 18). The criteria included in the definitions in studies were also tabulated. Clinical manifestations were frequently included. Definitions used have been highly variable; comparability of risk factors, incidence, management, and outcomes of such infections is difficult to achieve across studies. Future research should focus on development of a common definition of catheter-related and catheter-associated bloodstream infections for both adults and children with cancer.
authors: Program in Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Tomlinson
authors: Leonard A
authors: LA
authors: Mermel
authors: Marie-Chantal
authors: MC
authors: Ethier
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Matlow
authors: Biljana
authors: B
authors: Gillmeister
authors: Lillian
authors: L
authors: Sung
mesh_terms: D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009626:Terminology as Topic