Catheter-related bloodstream infection. Prevention and treatment

Central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection remains a major complication of home parenteral nutrition both in pediatric and adult patient. Most accurate method for diagnosis of intravascular device infection is paired blood culture with differential time to positivity >= 2 hours. Knowledge of risk factors, information and education of the patient and respect of standardized protocols are key issues in preventing central venous catheter infection. Taurolidine lock solution has been demonstrated as clinically efficacious in the prevention of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection. Treatment of infections depends on culture results and clinical symptoms (any signs of local and/or systemic complications). Catheter maintenance must be proposed only after a strict evaluation of the benefit risk ratio. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.