Treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infections

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are among the most frequently used medical devices in critically ill patients [1]. Unfortunately, complications are not uncommon despite the many improvements in caregiver behaviour observed over recent decades. Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is probably the most feared complication [2]. It is defined as a primary laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection in a patient with a central line at the time of, or within 24-h prior to, the onset of symptoms, in cases where the cultured organism is not related to an infection from another site. The central line should be in place for > 2 calendar days on the date of the event, with the day of device placement being day 1. Tens of thousands of patients continue to experience CLABSIs each year in the US, resulting in thousands of deaths each year and billions of dollars in added costs to the US healthcare system [3]. Of paramount importance, CLABSI prevention depends on evidence-based measures. The most effective of these are hand hygiene before catheter insertion and maintenance, full-barrier precautions during catheter insertion, 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine use for skin preparation, femoral vein avoidance whenever possible and prompt removal of useless CVCs [4–6]. The use of care protocols and the training of caregivers must also be considered. Implementation of these bundled measures has been shown in high-quality studies to reduce CLABSI incidence by 50% [7]. On the other hand, the principles of CLABSI treatment are not as well established and are mainly based on expert opinions and the results of old cohort studies [2]. Source control and intravenous administration of high doses of bactericidal agents are the most commonly cited measures. Source control consists of prompt removal of the catheter when clinical suspicion is high, at times even before the CLABSI diagnosis is proven. Yet, catheter salvage with antibiotic lock and systemic antibiotic treatment are not recommended for critically ill patients. Salvage therapy is limited to cases where the CVC cannot be removed, in the absence of septic shock, and for a period of at least 4 weeks, with low success rate. Empirical treatment should be initiated promptly, before confirmation of the diagnosis, after appropriate cultures have been obtained. The choice is based on host characteristics, known or suspected colonization with resistant microorganisms and local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns [8]. In general, reasonable coverage is required for common Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Parenteral vancomycin (or daptomycin in patients with acute renal failure or when organisms have reduced susceptibility to vancomycin) is the cornerstone of an empirical regime in settings with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [9]. Otherwise, an anti-staphylococcal penicillin or a first-generation cephalosporin is enough [10]. Antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacilli include β-lactam/ β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, fourth-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside [11, 12]. Agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa are required in cases of neutropaenia, severity of disease or increased probability or known prior colonization [8]. New anti-Gram negative antibiotics are indicated for infections due to multi-drug resistant Gram-negative organisms [13]. Empiric coverage for candidaemia should be considered if multiple sites are colonized with Candida or for patients with bone marrow or organ transplants, hematologic malignancy, femoral catheterization or when patients are * Correspondence: olivier.mimoz@chu-poitiers.fr Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, Service des Urgences Adultes & SAMU 86-Centre 15, 1 Rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers Cedex, France Université de Poitiers, UFR de Médecine Pharmacie, Poitiers, France Full list of author information is available at the end of the article