RESUMO
To establish the bacteriological profile of catheter related infections in patients having various indwelling medical devices. Descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore during November 2005 to March 2006. A total of 100 culture positive samples from these patients were included comprising of 68 samples of Endotracheal Tubes, 14 samples of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters, 11 samples of Urinary Catheters and 7 samples of Central Venous Catheters. The most frequent catheter colonizing bacteria were Pseudomonas spp. [34.7%], Klebsiella spp. [27.8%]. Escherichia coli [23.5%], Staphylococcus aureus [5.2%], Coagulase negative Staphylococci [3.5%], Proteus spp. [3.5%], Streptococcus pyogenes [0.9%] and non-haemolytic Streptococci [0.9%]. Catheter related infection remains an ongoing problem which cannot be completely eradicated; however by basic rules of hygiene it can be minimized