Management of a Patient with Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection

Microbiological analysis of tunneled hemodialysis catheters isolated from patients receiving hemodialysis in Saskatchewan

Aim: To compare the microbial communities inside hemodialysis catheters from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients to determine their differences.Materials & methods: Catheters (n = 41) were removed from patients in the Saskatchewan Health Authority over an 18-month period. The catheter section inside the body was flushed and the contents were evaluated using culture-dependent and culture-independent analysis.Results: All catheters were colonized by bacteria, with considerable overlap between groups based on microbial communities and the individual species detected. More Gram-negative species were detected by sequencing, whereas predominantly Gram-positive strains were cultured. Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation was widespread and not correlated with either catheter group.Conclusion: Common pathogens were detected in each set of catheters, therefore predicting infections based on the microbiology is difficult.

Microbial Repercussion on Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Outcome: A 2-Year Retrospective Study

Background

Albeit growing technical advances in the design of hemodialysis catheters, intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) still represents an utmost clinical challenge to the health-care workers (HCWs). Data regarding the influence of the culprit organism on the scenario of CRBSI in the literature are extremely lacking. Thereby, this research was carried out.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective cohort study over an interval of 2 years, involving patients who underwent regular hemodialysis via catheters in the Renal Dialysis Unit (RDU) of Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study enrolled 139 patients (56.8% females and 43.2% males), with mean age of 60.79 ± 11.45 years.

Results

The aggregate rate of CRBSI was 5.1/1000 catheter days. Amongst the 139 study candidates confirmed of having CRBSI, while 69.8% of CRBSIs were ascribed to Gram-positive cocci, about one-third of the infectious episodes were secondary to Gram-negative bacilli. Interestingly, fever was the most common presentation of S. aureus CRBSI compared to CoNS and Gram-negative bacilli CRBSIs (20.9% versus 12.9% versus 6.5%, p= 0.0001), whereas CRBSIs due to CoNS were presented mainly with rigors (19.4%). Of note, CRBSIs caused by Gram-negative bacilli had a tendency to manifest with unusual symptoms such as vomiting or hypotension. Besides, they were more prone to involve hospitalization or ICU admission. In this study, no mortality was attributed to CRBSIs.

Conclusion

Our study disclosed that the illicit organism has a repercussion on the clinical presentation as well as the fate of CRBSI among hemodialysis patients. This highlights the worth of identifying the infected cases in a periodic manner, to avoid the occurrence of devastating complications. A large body of work from various hemodialysis centers should take place in the near future so as to provide more insight in this perspective.

Targeting COVID-19 prevention in hemodialysis facilities is associated with a drastic reduction in central venous catheter-related infections

BACKGROUND

In hemodialysis (HD) patients, central venous catheter (CVC) related bloodstream infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hygienic precautions are a key aspect of dialysis care for infection prevention, but they are not sufficient to completely avoid the occurrence of CVC related infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hygienic precautions for preventing viral transmission have been markedly reinforced. We evaluated their effects on CVC-related infection rates.

METHODS

An observational retrospective study was conducted in two hemodialysis units of the same institution treating 215 chronic hemodialysis patients, 71 of whom are currently (33%) using a CVC. In the CVC cohort, we compared data on catheter-related infection rates during the maximum spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy (February to May 2020) with data from the same period of the previous year and with the whole of 2019.

RESULTS

In 2019, we recorded a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate of 1.19 (95% CI 0.81-1.68)/1000 days [2.07 (95% CI 1.12-3.52)/1000 days in the Feb-May 2019 period] and a tunnel and exit-site infection rate of 0.82 (95% CI 0.51-1.24)/1000 days [1.04 (95% CI 0.41-2.15)/1000 days in the Feb-May 2019 period]. Infection rates drastically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with just one catheter-related bloodstream infection being recorded. Catheter-related bloodstream infection rates showed a significant reduction to 0.20 (95% CI 0.01-0.9)/1000 days (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 compared to 2019 and to Feb-May 2019, respectively) and a non-significant reduction in tunnel and exit-site infections to 0.6 (95% CI 0.15-1.6)/1000 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed 91% reduction in catheter-related bloodstream infections compared to the same period in 2019 [IRR 0.09 (95% CI 0.002-0.64)] and the 83% reduction compared to the whole of 2019 [IRR 0.17 (95% CI 0.004-1.009)] suggest that a stricter implementation of hygienic precautions in the dialysis setting can markedly improve the problem of CVC-related infections.

Effects of a Quality Improvement Program to Reduce Central Venous Catheter-Related Infections in Hemodialysis Patients

BACKGROUND

Central catheter infections are of concern in patients on hemodialysis because of the high risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections, sepsis, and death. Adequate nursing is critical for the prevention of such infections. This study aimed to use the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) method to reduce the incidence of central venous catheter infection using management in the maintenance of central venous catheter in patients on hemodialysis, compared with routine care.

METHODS

This pilot study recruited patients on hemodialysis via central venous catheterization at the Blood Purification Center of Ruijin Hospital between November 2017 and November 2018. The patients were randomized to the routine and PDCA groups. All participants received routine nursing. The PDCA group received central venous catheter management by PDCA. The incidence of central venous catheterization-related infections, nursing satisfaction, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 122 participants were enrolled in each group. The incidence of central catheter-related bloodstream infection, as the primary outcome, was 0.8 and 8.8 cases per 1000 catheter days in the PDCA and routine groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In addition, as the secondary outcomes, the scores of nursing satisfaction (health guidance, nursing technology, and therapeutic effects) score and quality of life (physiological, psychological, social, and environmental status) were better in the PDCA group than in the routine group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study suggests that the PDCA cycle model can effectively reduce the incidence of central venous catheter-related infections and improve satisfaction and quality of life in patients on hemodialysis.

Antibiotic locks for the treatment of catheter-related blood stream infection: Still more hope than data

Antibiotic lock therapy (ALT), in conjunction with systemic antibiotics, is recommended by scientific societies as a treatment of uncomplicated catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in hemodynamically stable hemodialysis patients for whom catheter salvage is the goal. The rationale for this strategy is the eradication of intraluminal biofilms by the highly concentrated antibiotic used in the lock. However, the available evidence supporting this recommendation is scanty, and only includes small, short-term, observational studies (most of them single-arm), with different definitions of CRBSI cure and variable follow-up periods. Furthermore, the ability of an antibiotic to eradicate a biofilm is not predicted by its inherent spectrum of antibacterial activity, since sessile microorganisms in their biofilm display other mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics than their planktonic counter-parts. Additionally, penetration of some antibiotics frequently used into biofilms produced by common microorganisms appears to be low. In this editorial we provide a critical view on the available evidence regarding the efficacy of ALT on the treatment of CRBSI in hemodialysis patients, as well as the microbiological issues and technical challenges of this strategy.

Current Concepts in Hemodialysis Vascular Access Infections

Infection-related causes are second only to cardiovascular events for mortality among end-stage renal disease patients. This review will provide an overview of hemodialysis catheter-, graft-, and fistula-related infections with emphasis on diagnosis and management in specific settings. Use of catheters at the initiation of dialysis has remained unchanged at 80%. Of all access-related bloodstream infections (BSIs), 70% occur in patients with catheters. The risk factors for BSIs in tunneled, cuffed catheters include the duration of the catheter, past catheter-related bacteremia, left-sided internal jugular vein catheters, hypoalbuminemia, and immunosuppression. Surprisingly, human immunodeficiency virus infection has not been associated with a higher risk of catheter-related bacteremia. Catheter-related bloodstream infection is a clinical definition that requires specific laboratory testing to identify the catheter as the source of the BSI. A central line-associated bloodstream infection is a primary BSI in a patient who had a catheter within the 48-h period before the development of the BSI with no other identifiable source. Guidewire exchange of catheter is a viable alternative in select patients to aid in preserving venous access sites. Catheter lock therapy can decrease infectious complications and mortality. Arteriovenous graft infections are prevalent with significant morbidity. Studies evaluating the impact of stent use in infection risks of the arteriovenous graft are sorely needed.