Catheter associated Blood stream Infections 
Definition : It is defined as presence of Bacteremia 
originating from I.V. Catheter. 
Most common cause of Nosocomial Bacteremia. 
It is most frequent, lethal and costly complication of 
Central Venous Catheterization.
• The incidence of CRBSI arising from Central Venous 
catheters is approximately 10% 
• CRBSI has a mortality rate of up to 25% and significantly 
increases hospital length of stay and overall treatment 
cost. 
• CRBSI can originate from peripheral i.v. and intra-arterial 
cannulae, but this is extremely rare. 
• Pulmonary artery catheters have similar incidence of 
CRBSI to CVCs; dialysis catheters appear to have a much 
higher rate.
• Example of Intravascular Devices that can cause 
CRBSI : 
1. Peripheral vascular catheters ( venous/arterial ) 
2. Central venous catheters 
3. Pulmonary Artery catheter 
4. Peripherally inserted central catheter.
• Common organisms causing CRBSIs: 
1. CONS – 31% 
2. S. Aureus – 20% 
3. Enterococci – 9% 
4. Gram Neg. Bacilli ( E.Coli ) – 6% 
5. Pseudomonas – 5% 
6. Yeasts – 9% 
• Recent studies have shown that rates of MRSA, 
Ceftazidime resistant P.Aeruginosa, Vancomycin 
resistant Enterococci causing CRBSI have increased 
significantly.
• Pathogenesis of CRBSI : 2 primary causes 
1. Contamination of fluids being administered. 
2. Bacterial colonization of devices. 
a) Extra Luminal : From surrounding skin, Hematogenous 
seeding of catheter tip. 
b) Intra Luminal : Caused by organism adhering to device 
followed by creation of Bio-film, a process responsible 
for persistent infection/ Hematogenous spread. 
• In short term devices, Extra Luminal route is more 
frequent. 
• In long term devices ( >10 days ), Intra Luminal route 
is more common
Diagnosis of CRBSI is based on the following: 
1. The presence of a CVC. 
2. signs of catheter insertion site infection 
3. clinical symptoms and signs of Bacteremia; 
4. resolution of the symptoms and signs of 
Bacteremia after removal of the suspect CVC; 
5. positive blood culture; and 
6. growth of the same organism from the catheter. 
7. Confirmation that organism is not a contaminant.
• In practice, a presumptive diagnosis of CRBSI is 
often made on the basis of one or two of above 
criteria. 
• The ‘gold standard’ is the combination of a positive 
blood culture with the same organism isolated from 
the catheter. 
• However, a major diagnostic problem is that 
traditional methods of catheter culture necessitate 
removal of the CVC, whereby the line tip is either 
rolled on an agar plate or placed in a nutrient broth.
• Although catheter removal in suspected CRBSI may 
be mandatory when faced with a deteriorating 
patient, 80% of catheters removed on the basis of 
fever and/or leukocytosis alone will be sterile. 
• This places the patient at risk from the discomfort 
and mechanical complications of inserting another 
CVC and increases costs. 
• Thus, there has been an impetus to develop in situ 
methods of microbiological diagnosis.
• Quantitative blood culture. CRBSI is suggested when 
the number of microbes from a CVC sample of blood is 
five times that from a simultaneously collected 
peripheral sample. This is not widely available. (>100 
cfu/ml in case of peripheral line) 
• Acridine orange staining of blood taken from the CVC. 
This is not widely available. 
• Endoluminal brush sampling. A tiny brush is passed 
down the catheter lumen and is examined 
microbiologically by culture. This test has a high 
sensitivity and specificity but is not widely available. In 
addition, there are concerns about the generation of a 
bacteraemia caused by dislodgement of organisms. 
• Differential time to positivity. CRBSI is suggested when 
blood from the CVC demonstrates microbial growth at 
least 2 h earlier than growth is detected in blood 
collected simultaneously from a peripheral vein.
• Management : relies on 2 major clinical decisions: 
1. Appropriate & Timely administration of Systemic 
Antimicrobial Treatment (SAT) 
2. Catheter removal or Catheter Salvage Treatment. 
• Guidelines from Infectious disease society of America 
recommend removal of Catheter in all : 
1. All complicated Infections ( thrombophlebitis, 
Endocarditis, Osteomylitis ) 
2. All infections caused by ( S.Aureus, Candida, 
Enterococcus, Gram Neg. Bacilli ) 
• Catheter may be retained in CONS if systemic 
antibiotics are given in conjunction with Antibiotic 
Lock Therapy.
1. CONS – Remove and give SAT for 5-7 days or Retain 
and give SAT+ALT for 10-14 days. 
2. S.Aureus – Remove, SAT for minimum of 14 days. 
In case of Long term CVC, Remove and SAT for 4-6 
weeks 
3. Enterococci – Remove, SAT for 10-14 days. 
4. Gram Negative Bacilli – Remove, SAT for 10-14 
days. 
5. Candida species – Remove, SAT for 14 days after 
first negative Blood Culture. 
6. Complicated Infection ( Endocarditis, Septic 
thrombophlebitis, Osteomylitis ) – Remove SAT for 
4-6 weeks. For Osteomylitis : 6-8 weeks.
• Antibiotic Lock Therapy : Here 2ml of solution is 
infused into the lumen of the catheter and remains 
there for a certain amount of time per day during 
course of treatment. 
• In the lock therapy, Antibiotic concentration ranges 
100 to 1000 times the usual systemic concentration. 
These increased concentration has greater 
likelihood for killing organism embedded in biofilm. 
• It should be used for 10-14 days.
• Prevention : 
1. Education and Training all Healthcare personnel 
who insert and maintain catheter. 
2. Using single lumen catheter unless multiple ports 
are essential. 
3. Consider use of an antimicrobial impregnated 
catheter for patients at high risk of CRBSI. 
4. Consider use of peripherally inserted catheters as 
an alternative to CVCs. 
5. Use of Subclavian route unless contraindicated
6. Use optimum insertion technique including sterile 
gown, gloves and drapes 
7. Clean the insertion site with alcoholic chlorhexidine 
gluconate solution ( or alcoholic povidone iodine ) 
and allow to dry. 
8. Use sterile gauze or transparent dressing over the 
insertion site. 
9. Catheter flush solutions should contain 
anticoagulant. 
10. Replacement strategies : Do not routinely replace 
CVCs as a strategy to prevent infections. 
11. Guidewire exchange is acceptable for 
malfunctioning catheters if there is no evidence of 
infection.

Catheter associated blood stream infections

  • 1.
    Catheter associated Bloodstream Infections Definition : It is defined as presence of Bacteremia originating from I.V. Catheter. Most common cause of Nosocomial Bacteremia. It is most frequent, lethal and costly complication of Central Venous Catheterization.
  • 2.
    • The incidenceof CRBSI arising from Central Venous catheters is approximately 10% • CRBSI has a mortality rate of up to 25% and significantly increases hospital length of stay and overall treatment cost. • CRBSI can originate from peripheral i.v. and intra-arterial cannulae, but this is extremely rare. • Pulmonary artery catheters have similar incidence of CRBSI to CVCs; dialysis catheters appear to have a much higher rate.
  • 3.
    • Example ofIntravascular Devices that can cause CRBSI : 1. Peripheral vascular catheters ( venous/arterial ) 2. Central venous catheters 3. Pulmonary Artery catheter 4. Peripherally inserted central catheter.
  • 4.
    • Common organismscausing CRBSIs: 1. CONS – 31% 2. S. Aureus – 20% 3. Enterococci – 9% 4. Gram Neg. Bacilli ( E.Coli ) – 6% 5. Pseudomonas – 5% 6. Yeasts – 9% • Recent studies have shown that rates of MRSA, Ceftazidime resistant P.Aeruginosa, Vancomycin resistant Enterococci causing CRBSI have increased significantly.
  • 5.
    • Pathogenesis ofCRBSI : 2 primary causes 1. Contamination of fluids being administered. 2. Bacterial colonization of devices. a) Extra Luminal : From surrounding skin, Hematogenous seeding of catheter tip. b) Intra Luminal : Caused by organism adhering to device followed by creation of Bio-film, a process responsible for persistent infection/ Hematogenous spread. • In short term devices, Extra Luminal route is more frequent. • In long term devices ( >10 days ), Intra Luminal route is more common
  • 6.
    Diagnosis of CRBSIis based on the following: 1. The presence of a CVC. 2. signs of catheter insertion site infection 3. clinical symptoms and signs of Bacteremia; 4. resolution of the symptoms and signs of Bacteremia after removal of the suspect CVC; 5. positive blood culture; and 6. growth of the same organism from the catheter. 7. Confirmation that organism is not a contaminant.
  • 7.
    • In practice,a presumptive diagnosis of CRBSI is often made on the basis of one or two of above criteria. • The ‘gold standard’ is the combination of a positive blood culture with the same organism isolated from the catheter. • However, a major diagnostic problem is that traditional methods of catheter culture necessitate removal of the CVC, whereby the line tip is either rolled on an agar plate or placed in a nutrient broth.
  • 8.
    • Although catheterremoval in suspected CRBSI may be mandatory when faced with a deteriorating patient, 80% of catheters removed on the basis of fever and/or leukocytosis alone will be sterile. • This places the patient at risk from the discomfort and mechanical complications of inserting another CVC and increases costs. • Thus, there has been an impetus to develop in situ methods of microbiological diagnosis.
  • 9.
    • Quantitative bloodculture. CRBSI is suggested when the number of microbes from a CVC sample of blood is five times that from a simultaneously collected peripheral sample. This is not widely available. (>100 cfu/ml in case of peripheral line) • Acridine orange staining of blood taken from the CVC. This is not widely available. • Endoluminal brush sampling. A tiny brush is passed down the catheter lumen and is examined microbiologically by culture. This test has a high sensitivity and specificity but is not widely available. In addition, there are concerns about the generation of a bacteraemia caused by dislodgement of organisms. • Differential time to positivity. CRBSI is suggested when blood from the CVC demonstrates microbial growth at least 2 h earlier than growth is detected in blood collected simultaneously from a peripheral vein.
  • 10.
    • Management :relies on 2 major clinical decisions: 1. Appropriate & Timely administration of Systemic Antimicrobial Treatment (SAT) 2. Catheter removal or Catheter Salvage Treatment. • Guidelines from Infectious disease society of America recommend removal of Catheter in all : 1. All complicated Infections ( thrombophlebitis, Endocarditis, Osteomylitis ) 2. All infections caused by ( S.Aureus, Candida, Enterococcus, Gram Neg. Bacilli ) • Catheter may be retained in CONS if systemic antibiotics are given in conjunction with Antibiotic Lock Therapy.
  • 11.
    1. CONS –Remove and give SAT for 5-7 days or Retain and give SAT+ALT for 10-14 days. 2. S.Aureus – Remove, SAT for minimum of 14 days. In case of Long term CVC, Remove and SAT for 4-6 weeks 3. Enterococci – Remove, SAT for 10-14 days. 4. Gram Negative Bacilli – Remove, SAT for 10-14 days. 5. Candida species – Remove, SAT for 14 days after first negative Blood Culture. 6. Complicated Infection ( Endocarditis, Septic thrombophlebitis, Osteomylitis ) – Remove SAT for 4-6 weeks. For Osteomylitis : 6-8 weeks.
  • 12.
    • Antibiotic LockTherapy : Here 2ml of solution is infused into the lumen of the catheter and remains there for a certain amount of time per day during course of treatment. • In the lock therapy, Antibiotic concentration ranges 100 to 1000 times the usual systemic concentration. These increased concentration has greater likelihood for killing organism embedded in biofilm. • It should be used for 10-14 days.
  • 13.
    • Prevention : 1. Education and Training all Healthcare personnel who insert and maintain catheter. 2. Using single lumen catheter unless multiple ports are essential. 3. Consider use of an antimicrobial impregnated catheter for patients at high risk of CRBSI. 4. Consider use of peripherally inserted catheters as an alternative to CVCs. 5. Use of Subclavian route unless contraindicated
  • 14.
    6. Use optimuminsertion technique including sterile gown, gloves and drapes 7. Clean the insertion site with alcoholic chlorhexidine gluconate solution ( or alcoholic povidone iodine ) and allow to dry. 8. Use sterile gauze or transparent dressing over the insertion site. 9. Catheter flush solutions should contain anticoagulant. 10. Replacement strategies : Do not routinely replace CVCs as a strategy to prevent infections. 11. Guidewire exchange is acceptable for malfunctioning catheters if there is no evidence of infection.