| Biofilm bacterial infections are common in patients undergoing treatment with haemodialysis. This study involved 16 patients (7 males, 9 females; ages from 22 to 81 with an average age of 50) who had had a total of 25 temporary haemodialysis polyurethane catheter insertions into the subclavian vein (22 dual-lumen and 3 triple-lumen). The catheters remained in place from 3 to 91 days, on an average of 47 days. The reasons for catheter removal were: bad functioning (44%), suspicion of catheter-related infection (20%), availability of permanent access (16%), accidental removal (12%), signs and symptoms of infection at the site of catheter insertion (4%), and exogenous contamination (4%). Positive tip cultures were observed on seven of the catheters (28%),... |
