Frequency of Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections in a Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Central venous catheter related bloodstreaminfections is a fatal complication of central venous catheteruse and is associated with patient morbidity, mortality, andexcess hospital costs. Study aimed to determine frequency ofcatheter related blood stream infections in patients admitted inCardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit.Material and methods: This study was conducted atMicrobiology laboratory of Punjab Institute of Cardiology,Lahore. A total number of 134 central venous catheter tipcultures along with percutaneously drawn blood culturesfrom patients suspected of having catheter related bloodstream infection were collected. Blood cultures as well ascentral venous catheter tip cultures were processed to isolatemicroorganisms. Organisms were identified on the basis ofcolonial morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests.Results: Out of 134 central venous catheter tip cultures,59.7% showed significant microbial growth. Most frequentcolonizers were Coagulase negative Staphylococci (31.1%),S. aureus (26.7%), Candida species (22.2%), Klebsiellaspecies (13.3%) and Acinetobactor species (4.4%). Out of 134blood cultures, microbial growth was obtained from 11.9%.Microbes responsible for causing central line associated bloodstream infection were Candida species (37.5%), S.aureus(25%), Klebsiella (25%) and Acinetobactor species (12.5%).Frequency of catheter related blood stream infection orfrequency of catheter related candidemia was found to be4.5%.Conclusion: Candida species emerged as important cause ofcatheter related blood stream infection in patients admitted incardiology intensive care units. Therefore in high risk patientscatheter related candidemia and administration of antifungaldrugs must also be considered.