Catheter-related infections: does the spectrum of microbial causes change over time? A nationwide surveillance study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo estimate the incidence and epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) on a national scale by using prospective epidemiological data from the SwissAntibiotic Resistance Surveillance System(ANRESIS).DesignObservational study.SettingNational surveillance from 2008 to 2015 of acute hospitals in Switzerland.ParticipantsWe included acute Swiss hospitals that sent blood cultures and catheter tip culture results on a regular basis during the entire study period to the ANRESIS database.Outcome measureA catheter-related bloodstream infection (termed ‘modified CRBSI’, mCRBSI) was defined as isolating the same microorganism with identical antibiogram from ≥1 blood cultures (performed ±7 days around the catheter removal) as the one recovered from the catheter tip. Incidence rates of mCRBSI were calculated per 1000 admissions.ResultsFrom 2008 to 2015, the mCRBSI incidence rate decreased from 0.83 to 0.58 episodes/1000 admissions (−6% per year, p<0.001). Coagulase-negative staphylococci,Staphylococcus aureusand fungi all exhibited decreasing trends, while rates of enterococci and Gram-negative bacteria remained stable.ConclusionsThe overall incidence of mCRBSI in Switzerland is decreasing; however, the incidence of mCRBSI due to Enterococci and Gram-negative micro-organisms did not change over time. These pathogens may grow in importance in catheter-related infections, which would have clinical implications for the choice of empirical treatment.