Factors associated with recurrence of catheter-related bloodstream infections in home parenteral nutrition patients

Blood cultures from outpatients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) via long-term central venous access (CVA) were retrospectively analyzed from January 2003 to May 2009. When infection of the CVA was not due to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Candida, catheter salvage was attempted for a maximum of three consecutive infections on the same CVA. Factors influencing the time-to-next-infection were studied, whether the catheter was changed after the last infection or not. Neither the McCabe score, age, history of cancer, diabetes mellitus nor immunosuppression, curative antibiotic lock, type of bacteria, type or duration of treatment had an influence on the time-to-next-infection. The time-to-next-infection was significantly associated with the status of CVA (saved or changed) and its type (tunneled catheter with or without a cuff, or implanted port catheter).