ABSTRACT

Catheter colonization is a necessary step in catheter related bacteremia but pathogenesis hasn’t been clarified recently. In our study, we aimed to detect the incidence of catheter colonization and related parameters in patients with indwelling hemodialysis catheters.

The data of 43 hemodialysis patients using temporary hemodialysis catheters were evaluated retrospectively. The relation between colonization and factors that affect catheter colonization such as catheter localization, life span of the catheter, accompanied disorders, antibiotic or intravenous iron use, presence of fever or leucocytosis and albumin concentration was investigated. Results: The life span of femoral (21), subclavian (14), and jugular (8) catheters were 17.9±9.9 days and bacterial growth was detected in 15 (34.9%) of the catheters. The most common determined pathogen was staphylococci (60%). Catheter withdrawal reasons were as follows: the most common reason was suspicion of catheter infection in culture positive group (40%) and recovery from acute renal failure (42.9%) in culture negative group. Catheter life span, parenteral iron use and diabetes prevalence were significantly high and albumin concentration was significantly low in culture positive group.

In our study it was shown that, diabetes, hypoalbuminemia, parenteral iron treatment and prolonged catheter life span facilitated the catheter colonization. As well as standard therapy additional precaution may be taken to decrease prevalence of catheter colonization and infection in such conditions that facilitate catheter colonization.

Keywords: Hemodialysis, catheter, colonization