| Central venous catheters from intensive care unit patients were subjected to microbiological methods (semiquantitative culture) and scanning electron microscopy in order to assess microbial attachment and correlate it with blood cultures. During the period of the survey, 59 patients with inserted central venous catheters were studied. The type of catheter used was nontunneled, noncuffed, single lumen, made of polyurethane. Blood samples for cultures were collected at the moment of catheter removal. Data on the patient's age, gender, catheter insertion site, and duration of catheterization were also obtained. From 63 catheters tips analysed, 30 (47.6%) showed microbial colonization. Infection proved to be more prevalent in 26 (41.3%) patients with catheters... |
