title: External Ventricular and Lumbar Drain Device Infections in ICU Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Italian Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Use of external ventricular drains and lumbar catheters is associated with a risk of ventriculitis and meningitis ranging from 2% to 24% because of lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. We evaluated the prevalence of ventriculitis or meningitis in 13 Italian ICUs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter, prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen Italian ICUs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred seventy-one patients (mean age, 57 yr) receiving a total number of 311 catheters. Two hundred fifty patients (92.2%) had an external ventricular drain, 17 patients (6.3%) had a lumbar catheter, and four patients (1.5%) had both external ventricular drain and lumbar catheter.
  
  
  METHODS
  ICUs enrolled at least 10 consecutive adult patients with an external ventricular drain or lumbar catheter in place for more than 24 hours. Confirmed cerebrospinal fluid infection was defined by presence of a positive cerebrospinal fluid culture, a cerebrospinal fluid/blood glucose ratio less than 0.5, a neutrophilic cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis (> 5 cells/μL), and fever. Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid findings with negative cultures were defined as suspected infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median duration of device use was 13 days (interquartile range, 8-19). Fifteen patients (5.5%) had a confirmed ventriculitis or meningitis, and 15 patients (5.5%) had a suspected ventriculitis or meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid glucose and cerebrospinal fluid/blood glucose ratio were lower in patients with confirmed ventriculitis or meningitis and suspected ventriculitis or meningitis; proteins and lactates were significantly higher in confirmed ventriculitis or meningitis. Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were equally cultured. Risk factors for infection were a concomitant extracranial infection (odds ratio, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.01-5.40; p = 0.05) and placement of catheters outside the operation room (odds ratio, 4.01; 95% CI, 0.98-16.50; p = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ventriculitis or meningitis remains a problem in Italian ICUs, and a strategy for reducing the prevalence is worth planning.
authors: 1Department of Health Science, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. 2Neurointensive Care, Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. 3Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy. 4Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy. 5Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy. 6Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Citerio
authors: Liana
authors: L
authors: Signorini
authors: Alfio
authors: A
authors: Bronco
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Vargiolu
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Rota
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Latronico
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose; D057785:Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects; D058565:Cerebral Ventriculitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D003422:Critical Care; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose