title: Central vascular catheter infections in a Hospital of Central Italy.
abstract: The insertion and the permanence of central venous catheters (CVC) represent potential sources of infection contracted in hospital. The evaluation of the risk of CVC-associated infections was evaluated in a retrospective study during the period 2007-2010 in a Hospital of Central Italy. A total of 514 CVC were collected and examined by microbiological techniques and, among the examined patients, 450 CVC blood cultures were collected. Cultures were performed collecting a portion of 5-6 cm of intravenous catheters in liquid medium and spread on selective media for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts; blood specimens were obtained through peripheral venous punctures and analyzed by a commercial automated system. 308/514 (59.90%) samples were positive to the microbiological culture. Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and other coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the prevalent Gram-positive bacteria. Among Gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonaceae were the main bacteria isolated. A higher prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria was observed in Neonatal Pathology (90.90%). The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) showed 73.10% of positive cultures with 54.12% of Gram-positive isolates. Among positive blood cultures (38%), Gram-positive bacteria were the main bacteria isolated. The high prevalence of catheter-related infections requires accurate surveillance and the assumption of preventive measures in particular during catheter insertion.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Lombardi
authors: Massimiliano
authors: M
authors: Scutell
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Felice
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Di Campli
authors: Mara
authors: M
authors: Di Giulio
authors: Luigina
authors: L
authors: Cellini
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062666:Vascular Access Devices / Q000382:microbiology*