Management of the Hemodialysis Patient with Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection

Risk of infections related to endovascular catheters and cardiac implantable devices in hemodialysis patients

Patients requiring dialysis are extremely vulnerable to infectious diseases. The high burden of comorbidities and weakened immune system due to uremia and previous immunosuppressive therapy expose the patient on dialysis to more infectious events than the general population. The infectious risk is further increased by the presence of endovascular catheters and implantable cardiologic devices. The former is generally placed as urgent vascular access for dialysis and in subjects requiring hemodialysis treatments without autogenous arteriovenous fistula. The high frequency of cardiovascular events also increases the likelihood of implanting indwelling implantable cardiac devices (CIED) such as pacemakers (PMs) and defibrillators (ICDs). The simultaneous presence of CVC and CIED yields an increased risk of developing severe prosthetic device-associated bloodstream infections often progressing to septicemia. Although, antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of prosthetic device-related infections, antibiotic resistance of biofilm-residing bacteria reduces the choice of infection eradication. In these cases, the resolution of the infection process relies on the removal of the prosthetic device. Compared to CVC removal, the extraction of leads is a more complex procedure and poses an increased risk of vessel tearing. As a result, the prevention of prosthetic device-related infection is of utmost importance in hemodialysis (HD) patients and relies principally on avoiding CVC as vascular access for HD and placement of a new class of wireless implantable medical devices. When the combination of CVC and CIED is inevitable, prevention of infection, mainly due translocation of skin bacteria, should be a mandatory priority for healthcare workers.

Distribution and antimicrobial resistance analysis of gram-negative bacilli isolated from a tertiary hospital in Central China: a 10-year retrospective study from 2012 to 2021

Background

Gram-negative bacilli are one of the most common causes of various infections in clinical. The emergence and global spread of multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacilli has become a major challenge in the global public health field.

Methods

A total of 51,189 non-repetitive strains of gram-negative bacilli were isolated in clinical settings. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by using the automated VITEK 2 compact system and the matched AST susceptibility test card, complemented by the disk diffusion method. The antimicrobial susceptibility results were interpreted by CLSI. Rates of MDR and XDR in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated. Used the chi-square test to determine whether the antimicrobial resistance rates of four major gram-negative bacilli isolated from ICU and non-ICU department have statistical differences.

Results

Escherichia coli (31.4%), Klebsiella spp. (21.2%), Acinetobacter spp. (13.8%), and P. aeruginosa (11.0%) were the most frequently isolated gram-negative bacilli. Escherichia coli was the top one organism isolated from urinary tract (68.4%), bloodstream (39.9%), body fluid (33.2%), wound and pus (37%), except for respiratory tract (8.8%). Whereas Acinetobacter baumannii and K. pneumoniae were the major isolated organisms from respiratory tract. Acinetobacter baumannii showed high resistance to fluoroquinolones, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations class, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, and meropenem, the resistance rates reached more than 70%. Ceftazidime showed a lower resistance rate to E. coli than ceftriaxone. For E. coli, fluoroquinolones showed a high resistance rate (ciprofloxacin 61.36% and levofloxacin 53.97%), whereas amikacin, carbapenems exhibited a lower resistance rate fluctuating at 2%. Acinetobacter baumannii and K. pneumoniae showed rapid increases in carbapenem resistance whereas E. coli had the lowest resistance rate and remain stable at 2%. Acinetobacter baumannii exhibited the highest rate of MDR and XDR, reaching 60-80 and 45-55%, respectively. Compared to non-ICU departments, the resistance rates of four major gram-negative bacilli in the ICU department were much higher and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Amikacin, carbapenems, and piperacillin/tazobactam exhibited relatively high sensitivity, whereas fluoroquinolones showed high resistance rate whether they can be the first-line antimicrobials for empirical treatment of UTI should take more consideration. The gram-negative bacilli in ICU were more resistance than that in non-ICU. These findings are helpful for clinicians using antimicrobials reasonably.

A Case of Central Venous Catheter-Related Bacteremia Caused by Enterococcus gallinarum

A chicken farmer with cirrhosis and renal failure presented with an unusual case of catheter-related bacteremia. Testing with the VITEK® 2 Compact system, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and 16S rDNA sequencing identified the pathogen as E. gallinarum. This case demonstrates the importance of maintaining a high level of contextual awareness in patients exposed to avian species to make an informed diagnosis and provide prompt treatment.

Effects of a More Selective Arteriovenous Fistula Strategy on Vascular Access Outcomes

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The optimal choice of vascular access for patients undergoing hemodialysis-arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG)-remains controversial. In a pragmatic observational study of 692 patients, the authors found that among patients who initiated hemodialysis with a central vein catheter (CVC), a strategy that maximized AVF placement resulted in a higher frequency of access procedures and greater access management costs for patients who initially received an AVF than an AVG. A more selective policy that avoided AVF placement if an AVF was predicted to be at high risk of failure resulted in a lower frequency of access procedures and access costs in patients receiving an AVF versus an AVG. These findings suggest that clinicians should be more selective in placing AVFs because this approach improves vascular access outcomes.

BACKGROUND

The optimal choice of initial vascular access-arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft (AVG)-remains controversial, particularly in patients initiating hemodialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC).

METHODS

In a pragmatic observational study of patients who initiated hemodialysis with a CVC and subsequently received an AVF or AVG, we compared a less selective vascular access strategy of maximizing AVF creation (period 1; 408 patients in 2004 through 2012) with a more selective policy of avoiding AVF creation if failure was likely (period 2; 284 patients in 2013 through 2019). Prespecified end points included frequency of vascular access procedures, access management costs, and duration of catheter dependence. We also compared access outcomes in all patients with an initial AVF or AVG in the two periods.

RESULTS

An initial AVG placement was significantly more common in period 2 (41%) versus period 1 (28%). Frequency of all access procedures per 100 patient-years was significantly higher in patients with an initial AVF than an AVG in period 1 and lower in period 2. Median annual access management costs were significantly higher among patients with AVF ($10,642) versus patients with AVG ($6810) in period 1 but significantly lower in period 2 ($5481 versus $8253, respectively). Years of catheter dependence per 100 patient-years was three-fold higher in patients with AVF versus patients with AVG in period 1 (23.3 versus 8.1, respectively), but only 30% higher in period 2 (20.8 versus 16.0, respectively). When all patients were aggregated, the median annual access management cost was significantly lower in period 2 ($6757) than in period 1 ($9781).

CONCLUSIONS

A more selective approach to AVF placement reduces frequency of vascular access procedures and cost of access management.

Haemodialysis vascular catheter-related blood stream infection: Organism types and clinical outcomes

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBI) is an important complication of catheter use for haemodialysis, but it remains unclear whether clinical outcomes following CRBI are influenced by organism type. This study aims to compare clinical outcomes following CRBI from Gram-positive and non-Gram-positive organisms. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with kidney failure receiving haemodialysis (HD) via vascular catheters who had a documented episode of CRBI in Western Australia between 2005 and 2018. The associations between organism type, likelihood of hospitalization, catheter removal and death from CRBI were examined using adjusted logistic regression models. There were 111 episodes of CRBI in 99 patients (6.1 episodes per 1000-catheter-days at risk). Of the study cohort, 53 (48%) were male and 38 (34%) identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Gram-positive organisms were identified in 73 (66%) CRBI episodes, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus. Of those with non-Gram-positive CRBI, 9 (24%) were attributed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. One-hundred and two (92%) episodes of CRBI required hospitalization and 15 (13%) patients died from CRBI. Compared with non-Gram-positive CRBI, Gram-positive CRBI was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and catheter removal, with adjusted odds ratio of 9.34 (95% CI 1.28-68.03) and 3.47 (95% CI 1.25-9.67), respectively. There was no association between organism type and death from CRBI. Staphylococcus aureus remains the most common organism causing CRBI in HD patients. CRBI is associated with substantial morbidity, particularly CRBI attributed to Gram-positive organisms.

A rare case of long-term dialysis catheter-associated Agromyces mediolanus bacteremia: A case report and literature review

Agromyces mediolanus is a catalase-positive gram-positive rod typically found in the soil and not commonly known to be pathogenic. We present a rare case of Agromyces mediolanus bacteremia with aortic valve endocarditis in a patient who required prolonged inpatient care with a tunneled dialysis catheter for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Infection is the second leading cause of mortality among patients with end-stage renal disease and vascular access. The incidence of bacteremia is higher in patients with indwelling tunneled catheters than in those with an arteriovenous fistula or graft. The most critical risk factor is its prolonged use. Anticipation of the need for long-term definitive renal replacement therapy and planning for the best approach is crucial in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Human infections caused by Agromyces mediolanus are rare; it has been reported twice, and both cases were associated with prolonged use of catheters, not only parenteral catheter but also peritoneal catheter, which is of special importance for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Limited data is available for the appropriate antibiotic therapy.

How to manage central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections due to Gram-negative bacilli?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to review recent data evaluating the management of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB).

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of GNB catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) has been increasing considerably in the last years, and this has raised a concern due to the high reported rate of multidrug-resistant in these infections what poses a considerable challenge for effective treatment. However, there are no specific guidelines for the management of GNB-CRBSI and optimal treatment duration has not been clearly defined. Recent studies have shown that the risk for complications is clearly different to what is stablished for Staphylococcus aureus . Therefore, a short course of antibiotic therapy might be effective once the central venous catheter (CVC) has been removed and the monitoring complications through control blood cultures or echocardiography seem to be less helpful in GNB CRBSI.

SUMMARY

The incidence of GNB CRBSI has been increasing considerably in the last years; this has raised a concern due to the high reported rate of MDR in these infections what poses a considerable challenge for effective treatment. However, there are no specific guidelines for the management of GNB-CRBSI and optimal treatment duration has not been clearly defined. Recent studies have shown that the risk for complications is clearly different to what is stablished for S. aureus . Therefore, a short course of antibiotic therapy might be effective once the CVC has been removed and the monitoring complications through control blood cultures or echocardiography seem to be less helpful in GNB-CRBSI.

Causes and Risk Factors of Hemodialysis Catheter Infection in Dialysis Patients: A Prospective Study

Objectives: Infectious central venous catheter (CVC) complications, including mortality and care and hospitalization costs, are still a major clinical concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hemodialysis catheter infection and its risk factors among hemodialysis patients. Methods: The present research was a descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study on hemodialysis patients in Babol hospitals during 2020 - 21. The participants' demographic information and some relevant data on clinical variables (namely underlying diseases, cause of dialysis, and cause of catheter removal) and catheter-related variables (namely catheter location, frequency of catheter placement, and apparent signs of catheter site) were collected and recorded directly and systematically during surgery post-surgery. Results: One hundred and twenty-two patients with temporary double-lumen acute hemodialysis catheters for dialysis, including 56 women (45.9%), were included in this study, the mean age of whom was 58.9 ± 16.4 years. Twenty-two patients (18%) developed a catheter-induced systemic infection. There was no significant relationship between the catheter site and its removal inducing infection (P > 0.05). The frequencies of microorganisms causing catheter infection included gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermis (59%) and Staphylococcus aureus (31.8%). Moreover, there was no significant correlation between demographic variables and clinical history with systemic infection induced by catheterization. Conclusions: The rate of catheter-induced infection is relatively high among patients since sterile instructions were observed during catheterization; therefore, it is recommended to pay more attention to the care and dressing of the catheter site.

Duration of antibiotic therapy in central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to review recent data evaluating the duration of antibiotic therapy in central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) due to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB).

RECENT FINDINGS

CRBSI is the most common complication associated with the use of intravascular catheters. CRBSI directly contributes to increase additional days of hospitalization, morbidity and therefore economic costs.The incidence of GNB CRBSI has been increasing considerably in the last years; this has raised a concern due to the high reported rate of multi drug resistant bacteria in these infections what poses a considerable challenge for effective treatment. However, there are no specific guidelines for management of GNB-CRBSI and optimal treatment duration has not been clearly defined.Recent studies evaluating the impact of the duration of antibiotic therapy of GNB-CRBSI have shown that short-course antibiotic therapy might be as effective as long-course therapy once the central venous catheter (CVC) has been removed.

SUMMARY

CRBSI due to GNB has shown a rapid increase in the last years. Current guidelines recommend antibiotic treatment for at least 7-14 days, although no randomized clinical trials have evaluated the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for GNB-CRBSI. Recent data suggest that administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy for 7 days or less may be as well tolerated and effective as longer courses in episodes of GNB-CRBSI, once the CVC has been removed.

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.

Policy and Pandemic: The Changing Practice of Nephrology During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Outbreak

The coronavirus (coronavirus disease-2019) pandemic has changed care delivery for patients with end-stage kidney disease. We explore the US healthcare system as it pertains to dialysis care, including existing policies, modifications implemented in response to the coronavirus disease-2019 crisis, and possible next steps for policy makers and nephrologists. This includes policies related to resource management, use of telemedicine, prioritization of dialysis access procedures, expansion of home dialysis modalities, administrative duties, and quality assessment. The government has already established policies that have instated some flexibilities to help providers focus their response to the crisis. However, future policy during and after the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic can bolster our ability to optimize care for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Key themes in this perspective are the importance of policy flexibility, clear strategies for emergency preparedness, and robust health systems that maximize accessibility and patient autonomy.

[Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in extracorporeal renal replacement therapy]

Intermittent hemodialysis, continuous hemofiltration and prolonged daily dialysis are used for renal replacement therapy in the intensive care units. Independent of the replacement modality, antibiotic therapy must start with a high loading dose. Dose adjustment to the kidneys must follow 48 h later to prevent toxic accumulation. Dose recommendations on product labels are often underdosed. On continuous hemofiltration, meanwhile many intensivists administer a normal standard dose because the high filtration rate corresponds to a half-normal glomerular filtration rate. After intermittent hemodialysis, a dose similar to the loading dose will be needed. On day off dialysis, the maintenance dose must be adjusted to the failing kidney function. Immediately after prolonged daily dialysis, a loading dose should be given; with twice daily dosing the maintenance dose needs to be adjusted to kidney function. Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended for gentamicin, vancomycin, piperacillin, meropenem and voriconazole. Due to pharmacodynamic reasons, the target concentration corresponds to the concentration producing the half-maximum effect. Accordingly, the target concentration is the normal peak for concentration-dependent action with bolus dosing. The target is the average steady-state concentration for antibiotics with time-dependent action and continuous infusion.