Catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are among the most severe and frequent health care–associated infections in ICUs. Continuous epidemiological surveillance and characterization of the microbiological profile are essential to guide empiric antibiotic therapy and implement prevention strategies. This study proposes analyzing CLABSI in an ICU of a private hospital in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Observational, retrospective cohort study based on secondary data from the hospital’s infection surveillance system. All ICU patients who developed CLABSI according to ANVISA criteria (2023) and had positive blood cultures between January 2023 and January 2025 were evaluated. Data were compiled in a spreadsheet, and absolute and relative frequencies of isolates were calculated to determine epidemiological prevalence. Twenty-one CLABSI cases were identified. Mean time from admission to diagnosis was 32.7 days (minimum 7; maximum 58). The etiological profile included 14/21 (66.7%) bacterial isolates and 7/21 (33.3%) fungal isolates. Bacterial species distribution: Klebsiella pneumoniae 4/14 (29%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3/14 (21%), Acinetobacter baumannii 3/14 (21%), Staphylococcus aureus 2/14 (14%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus 1/14 (7%), and Enterococcus faecalis 1/14 (7%). Fungal isolates included Candida parapsilosis 4/7 (57%), Candida glabrata 1/7 (14%), Candida albicans 1/7 (14%), Candida tropicalis 1/7 (14%), and Trichosporon asahii 1/7 (14%). The significant identification of fungal infections and the high prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria (71%) align with global and national trends. The epidemiological profile highlights the need to optimize empiric antimicrobial and antifungal treatment guidelines (antimicrobial stewardship) and to reinforce infection prevention measures to improve clinical outcomes and reduce antimicrobial resistance.
Fonseca et al. (Sun,) studied this question.