Prevention of catheter-related bacteremia in pediatric intestinal transplantation/short gut syndrome children with long-term central venous catheters

Systematic Review of Antimicrobial Lock Solutions for Prevention of Bacteremia in Pediatric Patients With Intestinal Failure

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this systematic review was to determine whether antimicrobial lock (AML) solutions prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in children with intestinal failure (IF).

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched: Ovid MEDLINE (1946-), Ovid Embase (1974-), Wiley Cochrane Library (inception-), and Web of Science Core Collection via Clarivate Analytics (1900-). Randomized and nonrandomized trials, case or cohort studies that studied any AML solution, and used comparator groups were included if they studied children with IF. A meta-analysis compared the rates of CRBSI with AML solutions versus controls, and a Boucher analysis was used to indirectly compare AML solutions.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies met eligibility criteria (1 open label and 27 observational studies). Quality was good (N = 13), fair (N = 9), and poor (N = 6). All but 4 studied ethanol and taurolidine. Of 15 ethanol studies, 11 reported a decrease and 3 reported a trend toward a decreased incidence of CRBSI compared to controls; 1 reported no difference. Of 9 taurolidine studies, 7 reported a decrease and 2 a trend toward decreased CRBSI rates. There was a decrease in CRBSI with ethanol versus control ( P = 0.008) and with taurolidine-citrate versus control ( P < 0.0005). Using Bucher indirect comparison of the pooled estimates from ethanol versus control to taurolidine versus control, the estimated difference was -0.99 (-4.125, 2.27; P = 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

There were no randomized trials and over half of the 28 included studies were fair or poor quality. All but 1 reported at least a trend toward reduction in CRBSI. AML solutions appear to prevent CRBSI.

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection among Children with Intestinal Failure Presenting to the Emergency Department with Fever

OBJECTIVES

To determine which factors confer the greatest risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in children with intestinal failure and fever presenting to an emergency department (ED), and to assess whether a low-risk group exists that may not require the standard treatment of admission for 48 hours on intravenous antibiotics pending culture results.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective cohort study included children with intestinal failure and fever presenting to an ED over a 6-year period. Multivariable models were created using risk factors selected a priori to be associated with CLABSI as well as univariate predictors with P < .2.

RESULTS

Among 81 patients with 278 ED encounters, 132 (47.5%) CLABSI episodes were identified. Multivariable models showed higher initial temperature in the ED (aOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.25-3.17) and low white blood cell count (aOR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.03-6.79) and platelet count (aOR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.20-5.87) relative to age-specific reference ranges were strongly associated with CLABSI. Among the 63 encounters in which the patient had none of these risk factors, the rate of CLABSI was 25.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with intestinal failure who present to the ED with fever have high rates of CLABSI. Although higher temperature in the ED, lower white blood cell count, and lower platelet count are strongly associated with CLABSI, patients without these risk factors frequently have positive blood cultures as well. Antibiotics should, therefore, be given to all children with intestinal failure and fever until CLABSI is ruled out.

Clinical Application of Prophylactic Ethanol Lock Therapy in Pediatric Patients With Intestinal Failure

Patients with intestinal failure have an increased risk for catheter-related bloodstream infections that can necessitate central venous line replacement and result in morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, or mortality. For pediatric patients with intestinal failure, the severe loss of intestinal absorptive ability leads to reliance on parenteral nutrition to meet minimal needs required for growth and development. Reliance on parenteral nutrition, in turn, forces dependency on central venous lines. Recent research concentrating on the pediatric population with intestinal failure indicates that prophylactic ethanol lock therapy can reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections and decrease central venous line removal rates in this high-risk population. Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections is critical for patients with intestinal failure. Ethanol lock therapy policies and protocols are increasingly being developed in healthcare institutions. Despite these efforts, no standard guidelines currently exist for ethanol lock therapy, and research in this area, specifically involving the pediatric population, is limited. This article presents the evidence to date as a means for assisting nursing professionals to make informed clinical decisions regarding the use of ethanol lock therapy for pediatric patients with intestinal failure.

Mucous fistula refeeding decreases parenteral nutrition exposure in postsurgical premature neonates

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Premature neonates can develop intraabdominal conditions requiring emergent bowel resection and enterostomy. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is often required, but results in cholestasis. Mucous fistula refeeding allows for functional restoration of continuity. We sought to determine the effect of refeeding on nutrition intake, PN dependence, and PN associated hepatotoxicity while evaluating the safety of this practice.

METHODS

A retrospective review of neonates who underwent bowel resection and small bowel enterostomy with or without mucous fistula over 2years was undertaken. Patients who underwent mucous fistula refeeding (RF) were compared to those who did not (OST). Primary outcomes included days from surgery to discontinuation of PN and goal enteral feeds, and total days on PN. Secondary outcomes were related to PN hepatotoxicity.

RESULTS

Thirteen RF and eleven OST were identified. There were no significant differences among markers of critical illness (p>0.20). In the interoperative period, RF patients reached goal enteral feeds earlier than OST patients (median 28 versus 43days; p=0.03) and were able to have PN discontinued earlier (median 25 versus 41days; p=0.04). Following anastomosis, the magnitude of effect was more pronounced, with RF patients reaching goal enteral feeds earlier than OST patients (median 7.5 versus 20days; p≤0.001) and having PN discontinued sooner (30.5 versus 48days; p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

RF neonates reached goal feeds and were able to be weaned from PN sooner than OST patients. A prospective multicenter trial of refeeding is needed to define the benefits and potential side effects of refeeding in a larger patient population in varied care environments.

Epidemiologic Associations Between Short-Bowel Syndrome and Bloodstream Infection Among Hospitalized Children

BACKGROUND

Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) suffer from strikingly high rates of morbidity and mortality, due in part to their susceptibility to life-threatening infectious diseases. Few large, multisite studies have evaluated patient-specific factors associated with bacteremia in hospitalized children with and without SBS.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study to examine the epidemiological associations between SBS and bloodstream infections (BSI) in hospitalized children. Pediatric BSI cases and controls were selected from a prospective cohort study conducted at 3 New York City hospitals.

RESULTS

Among 40 723 hospital admissions of 30 179 children, 1047 diagnoses of BSI were identified. A total of 64 children had a diagnosis of SBS. BSI was identified frequently among hospitalizations for children admitted with SBS (n = 207/450, 46%) compared to hospitalizations for children without the condition (n = 840/40 273, 2.1%, P < .001). While this population represented only 0.2% of our overall cohort, it accounted for nearly 20% of all hospital admissions with BSI. Multivariable analysis identified 8 factors significantly associated with pediatric hospitalizations with BSI. These included a diagnosis of SBS (odds ratio [OR] 19.0), ages 1-5 years (OR 1.33), presence of a non-Broviac-Hickman central venous catheter (OR 6.36), immunosuppression (OR 0.53), kidney injury (OR 6.67), organ transplantation (OR 4.44), admission from a skilled nursing facility (OR 2.66), and cirrhosis (OR 7.23).

CONCLUSIONS

While several clinical characteristics are contributory to the risk of BSI in children, SBS remains the single strongest predictor. Further research into the mediators of this risk will be essential for the development of prevention strategies for this vulnerable population.

Antibiotic lock therapy: review of technique and logistical challenges

Antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) for the prevention and treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infections is a simple strategy in theory, yet its real-world application may be delayed or avoided due to technical questions and/or logistical challenges. This review focuses on these latter aspects of ALT, including preparation information for a variety of antibiotic lock solutions (ie, aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, folate antagonists, glycopeptides, glycylcyclines, lipopeptides, oxazolidinones, polymyxins, and tetracyclines) and common clinical issues surrounding ALT administration. Detailed data regarding concentrations, additives, stability/compatibility, and dwell times are summarized. Logistical challenges such as lock preparation procedures, use of additives (eg, heparin, citrate, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), timing of initiation and therapy duration, optimal dwell time and catheter accessibility, and risks of ALT are also described. Development of local protocols is recommended in order to avoid these potential barriers and encourage utilization of ALT where appropriate.

Recent advances in the management of pediatric intestinal failure

Intestinal failure is a chronic condition in which the intestinal tract has lost most of its function. Prognosis depends on the severity and underlying etiologies. Although many patients survive under parenteral nutrition support, they often suffer from fatal complications such as progressive cholestasis and frequent sepsis. In addition, to decide the proper time to refer selected patients to bowel transplantation remains difficult. A noninvasive biomarker developed to evaluate functional enterocyte mass and the extent of intestinal adaptation is plasma citrulline level. It is shown that serum citrulline correlates with small bowel length, oral tolerance, and parenteral nutrition dependency. Recent evidence has revealed that the use of fish oil containing lipid emulsions to substitute traditional soybean-based formula may reverse a patient's cholestasis and improve lipid profiles. A new method used to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infection is ethanol lock therapy. With both antimicrobial and fibrinolytic activities, studies have shown that ethanol locks can effectively decrease catheter infection and replacement rate with no known resistance reported. As part of intestinal rehabilitation, auxiliary surgeries such as longitudinal intestinal lengthening and tailoring, serial transverse enteroplasty, and tapering enteroplasty can be beneficial for selected patients before bridging to bowel transplantation. With the introduction of these new medical and surgical modalities, patients with intestinal failure are having better outcomes than in the past.

Bench-to-bedside review: Challenges of diagnosis, care and prevention of central catheter-related bloodstream infections in children

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are indispensable in modern pediatric medicine. CVCs provide secure vascular access, but are associated with a risk of severe complications, in particular bloodstream infection. We provide a review of the recent literature about the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in children and its prevention. Variations in blood sampling and limitations in blood culturing interfere with accurate and timely diagnosis of CRBSI. Although novel molecular testing methods appear promising in overcoming some of the present diagnostic limitations of conventional blood sampling in children, they still need to solidly prove their accuracy and reliability in clinical practice. Standardized practices of catheter insertion and care remain the cornerstone of CRBSI prevention although their implementation in daily practice may be difficult. Technology such as CVC impregnation or catheter locking with antimicrobial substances has been shown less effective than anticipated. Despite encouraging results in CRBSI prevention among adults, the goal of zero infection in children is still not in range. More high-quality research is needed in the field of prevention, accurate and reliable diagnostic measures and effective treatment of CRBSI in children.

Prevention of catheter-related blood stream infections in children with intestinal failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) account for a major source of morbidity in children with intestinal failure. Many of these patients require long-term central venous access, placing them at significant risk for these infections. The purpose of this review is to highlight the most current strategies and interventions for minimizing CRBSIs in this population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Strategies for the prevention of CRBSIs continue to evolve, although most have not been specifically evaluated in children with intestinal failure. Some of the more recent interventions that are likely to be effective in this population include creating standardized protocols for catheter insertion and maintenance, ethanol lock therapy, and occasional use of antimicrobial catheters and dressings.

SUMMARY

Every effort must be made to prevent CRBSIs in infants and children with intestinal failure. Disease specific risk factors must be considered when determining the best approach for infection prevention. Because of their long-term access needs, checklists and protocols to maintain strict sterile technique at the time of catheter insertion are useful. Additionally, these children often have some degree of intestinal bacterial overgrowth secondary to dilation and dysmotility. Therefore, the use of antimicrobial locks, catheters and dressings likely provide benefit for some patients.

Ethanol locks to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections in parenteral nutrition: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Patients with pediatric intestinal failure (IF) depend on parenteral nutrition for growth and survival, but are at risk for complications, such as catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). CRBSI prevention is crucial, as sepsis is an important cause of IF-associated liver disease and mortality. We aim to estimate the pooled effectiveness and safety of ethanol locks (ELs) in comparison with heparin locks (HLs) with regard to CRBSI rate and catheter replacements for pediatric IF patients with chronic parenteral nutrition dependence.

METHODS

A systematic review without language restriction was performed on Medline (1948-2010), Embase (1980-2010), and conference programs and trial registries up to December 2010. Search terms included "Catheter-Related Infections," "Catheter," "Catheters, Indwelling," "alcohol," "ethanol," and "lock." Two authors identified 4 retrospective studies for the pediatric IF population. Double, independent data extraction using predefined data fields and risk of bias assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa scale) was performed.

RESULTS

In comparison with HLs, ELs reduced the CRBSI-rate per 1000 catheter days by 7.67 events and catheter replacements by 5.07. EL therapy decreased the CRBSI rate by 81% and replacements by 72%. One hundred eight to 150 catheter days of EL exposure were necessary to prevent 1 CRBSI and 122 to 689 days of exposure avoided 1 catheter replacement. Adverse events were rare and included thrombotic events.

CONCLUSIONS

In pediatric patients with IF, EL is a more effective alternative to HL. Adverse events include thrombotic events.

sTREM-1 and LBP in central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric intestinal failure

OBJECTIVE

Central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CVC-BSIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric intestinal failure (IF) population. We assessed plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) as biomarkers for CVC-BSI. We hypothesized that sTREM-1 and LBP rise with BSI and decline following treatment, and that baseline LBP is higher in the IF population than in controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients younger than 4 years were recruited from the IF registry at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. LBP and sTREM-1 levels were measured on 22 patients with IF at baseline, 17 patients with IF with BSIs, and 11 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Mean sTREM-1 level (pg/mL) and LBP level (μg/mL) rose with CVC-BSI over baseline (115.0 ± 51.2 vs 85.9 ± 27.6, P = 0.011 and 79.8 ± 45.4 vs 20.5 ± 11.3, P < 0.001, respectively) and declined following antibiotic therapy (115.0 ± 51.2 vs 77.9 ± 29.8, P = 0.003 and 79.8 ± 45.4 vs 26.2 ± 10.8, P < 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that neither sTREM-1 nor LBP is sufficient to predict bacteremia versus fever without bacteremia (area under these curves = 0.57 and 0.82, respectively). Baseline LBP was higher in hospitalized patients than in outpatients (27.5 ± 8.7 vs 13.5 ± 9.2, P = 0.002), patients with previous BSIs versus those without (23.5 ± 10.4 vs 10.1 ± 8.3, P = 0.016), and those listed for transplantation versus those not listed (29.6 ± 9.8 vs 16.2 ± 9.5, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

sTREM-1 and LBP rise with CVC-BSI in IF and decline after treatment; however, neither distinguishes infection from nonbacteremic febrile episodes. Baseline LBP may be a marker of disease severity in IF.

Efficacy of ethanol locks in reducing central venous catheter infections in pediatric patients with intestinal failure

PURPOSE

We sought to determine whether a regimen of 70% ethanol locks could reduce the rate of central venous catheter (CVC) infections in parenteral nutrition-dependent children with intestinal failure.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 23 parenteral nutrition-dependent children in our multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation clinic who started ethanol lock therapy between September 2007 and June 2009. The treatment regimen consisted of a 70% ethanol lock instilled 3 times per week in each catheter lumen. The rate of CVC infections before and after initiation of ethanol lock therapy was compared using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test with significance set at P < .05.

RESULTS

The most common diagnoses leading to intestinal failure were necrotizing enterocolitis (26.1%), gastroschisis (21.7%), and intestinal atresia (14.3%). Ethanol locks were well tolerated with no reported adverse side effects. The infection rate decreased from 9.9 per 1000 catheter days prior to initiation of ethanol locks to 2.1 per 1000 catheter days during therapy (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

A regimen of ethanol lock therapy administered three days per week appears to be a safe and effective means of reducing the rate of CVC infections in parenteral nutrition-dependent children with intestinal failure.

Prophylaxis of catheter-related bacteremia using tissue plasminogen activator-tobramycin locks

This retrospective study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of tissue plasminogen activator-tobramycin antibiotic lock solutions (TPA/tobra ABLs) for prophylaxis of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) in high-risk children on long-term hemodialysis. During the first 6 months (Era 1), the high-risk group was defined. These patients received TPA/tobra ABL prophylaxis after every hemodialysis treatment for the next 6 months (Era 2). The prophylaxis regimen was applied once a week for the third 6-months period (Era 3). Primary endpoints were CRB and infection-free catheter survival. There were 16,412 catheter days, and 95 cases of CRB in 43 children. The incidence of CRB was 5.8/1,000 catheter days. Significant decrease in the incidence of CRB was observed when prophylactic TPA/tobra ABL was used in the high-risk group (P = 0.0201). There was a tendency for less CRB when prophylactic ABL was applied after every hemodialysis session compared with once a week (P = 0.0947). The catheters in the high-risk group had shorter survival times than those in the average-risk group in Era 1 (P < 0.0001). However, both the overall and infection-free survival of the catheters in the high-risk group significantly improved while the patients were receiving TPA/tobra ABL prophylaxis, becoming similar to the outcomes of the catheters in the average-risk group and exhibiting statistically non-significant differences (P = 0.5571 and P = 0.9711, respectively). In conclusion, the TPA/tobra ABLs may effectively reduce the rate of CRB, and this may prolong both the overall and infection-free survival times of the catheters in the high-risk group.

Update on infectious diseases in pediatric solid organ transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Numerous recent advances have been made in the field of infectious diseases and pediatric solid organ transplant.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although many studies contain somewhat small cohorts of individuals, when summarized together they contribute significantly to our knowledge about pediatric solid organ transplant, especially regarding risk factors for infection, management of BK virus nephropathy, the use of live viral vaccines, and consideration for rare infections as well as donor-derived infections.

SUMMARY

In sum, these recent advances in infection in the field of pediatric solid organ transplant will help decrease infection, thus improving morbidity and mortality, as well as transplant outcomes, especially by decreasing direct (graft injury) and indirect (immune upregulation) effects on organ transplantation. This review will focus on recent advances in the field of infectious diseases in pediatric solid organ transplant by highlighting some of the most important and interesting articles in the field within the past few years.

Current status of small bowel and multivisceral transplantation

Intestinal transplantation has shown exceptional growth over the past 20 years with remarkable progress. As with other solid organ transplants, intestinal transplantation has moved out of the experimental realm to become the stan dard of care for many patients with intestinal failure. Intestinal transplantation may soon be extended routinely to patients who, although not strictly meeting the criteria for intestinal failure, may benefit from intestinal transplantation, such as patients who have nonresectable indolent tumors or diffuse thrombosis of the portomesenteric system. As clinical experience has increased with intestinal transplantation, outcomes have improved. The currently reported 1-year graft and patient survival rate is 80%, which approaches that for other solid abdominal organs. Unfortunately, most of the gains in survival are seen in the first postoperative year, with long-term survival remaining basically unchanged since the early 1990s. With improved outcomes, more centers have entered into the intestinal transplant arena. In the United States alone, 20 centers performed at least one intestinal transplant in 2007. Increase in access to intestinal transplantation and more widespread awareness of this option likely will result in a consistent increase in the number of yearly transplants for the foreseeable future. Immunosuppressive regimens continue to evolve, with induction therapy being the major change in the past 5 years. Although rejection rates in the first year after transplant have been reduced by induction therapy, long-term side effects of heavy immunosuppression continue to weigh negatively on transplant outcomes. The future for immunosuppression lies in two areas: (1) individual monitoring of the immunosuppression level for each individual patient and (2) development of serum and tissue markers for the early identification of rejection. It is likely that a combination of technologies will allow immunosuppression to be tailored to each recipient. Development of these approaches to immunosuppression is necessary to predict graft dysfunction ahead of irreversible graft injury and allows adjustments in immunosuppression before the onset of rejection. Intestinal transplantation continues to be performed only in situations in which all other therapeutic modalities have failed. No randomized trials compare intestinal transplantation to long-term PN to establish guidelines for a timely referral for this treatment option. Late referral remains a crippling problem in the field of intestinal transplantation, with a great number of patients in need of simultaneous liver transplantation at the time of listing for intestinal transplantation. Early referral for isolated intestinal transplant will reduce the need for simultaneous multiorgan transplants and increase the residual organs available for patients in need of (primarily) liver transplantation.

Linezolid lock prophylaxis of central venous catheter infection

Central venous catheter (CVC)-related infections are a major problem for patients requiring long-term venous access and may result in frequent hospital admissions and difficulties in maintaining central venous access. CVC-related blood stream infections are associated with increased duration of inpatient stay and cost approximately \#8364;13 585 per patient [Blot, S. I., Depuydt, P., Annemans, L., Benoit, D., Hoste, E., De Waele, J. J., Decruyenaere, J., Vogelaers, D., Colardyn, F. & Vandewoude, K. H. (2005). Clin Infect Dis 41, 1591–1598]. Antimicrobial lock therapy may prevent CVC-related blood stream infection, preserve central venous access and reduce hospital admissions. In this paper, the impact of linezolid lock prophylaxis in a patient with short bowel syndrome is described.