Microbiological pattern of arterial catheters in the intensive care unit.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intravascular catheter related infection (CRI) is one of the most serious nosocomial infections. Diagnostic criteria include a positive culture from the catheter tip along with blood, yet in many patients with signs of infection, current culture techniques fail to identify pathogens on catheter segments. We hypothesised that a molecular examination of the bacterial community on short term arterial catheters (ACs) would improve our understanding of the variety of organisms that are present in this niche environment and would help develop new methods for the diagnosis of CRI.

Results

The whole bacterial community presenting on all ACs was evaluated by molecular methods, i.e., a strategy of whole community DNA extraction, PCR amplification followed by cloning and 16S

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2987986 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature