Podcast 824: Catheter-Related Blood Infections

<p><strong>Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD</strong></p> <p><strong>Educational Pearls:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Catheter related blood infections were thought to be caused by skin flora seeding the catheter. Thus, significant effort is applied to sterility and skin preparation.  </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">However, studies have shown that bacteria growing on the tip of the catheter is not consistent with growth on cultures of skin.  </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Staphylococcus epidermidis is commonly found on cultures of catheter sites. It has also been found in the gut flora of >50% of ICU patients. Rates of catheter related blood infections have been decreased through oral decontamination and early feeding. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">These findings suggest enteral bacterial translation as a major source of blood stream infection.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">O'Grady NP, Alexander M, Burns LA, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections.</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Clin Infect Dis</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. 2011;52(9):e162-e193. doi:10.1093/cid/cir257</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">von Eiff C, Becker K, Machka K, Stammer H, Peters G. Nasal carriage as a source of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Study Group.</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">N Engl J Med</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. 2001;344(1):11-16. doi:10.1056/NEJM200101043440102</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ALTEMEIER WA, HUMMEL RP, HILL EO. Staphylococcal enterocolitis following antibiotic therapy.</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ann Surg</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. 1963;157(6):847-858. d