Role of Lock Therapy for Long-Term Catheter-Related Infections by Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

The management of long-term central venous catheter (LTCVC) infections by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in cancer patient is a challenge. The objectives of this study were to analyze outcomes in cancer patients with LTCVC-associated infection, identify risks for unfavorable outcomes, and determine the impact of MDR bacteria and antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) in managing such infections. We evaluated all LTCVC-associated infections treated between January 2009 and December 2016. Infections were reported in accordance with international guidelines for catheter-related infections. The outcome measures were 30-day mortality and treatment failure. We analyzed risk factors by Cox forward-stepwise regression. We identified 296 LTCVC-associated infections; 212 (71.6%) were classified as bloodstream infections (BSIs). The most common agent was Staphylococcus aureus Forty-six (21.7%) infections were due to MDR Gram-negative bacteria. ALT was used in 62 (29.2%) patients, with a 75.9% success rate. Risk factors identified for failure of the initial treatment were having a high sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at diagnosis of infection and being in palliative care; introduction of ALT at the start of treatment was identified as a protective factor. Risk factors identified for 30-day mortality after LTCVC-associated infection were a high SOFA score at diagnosis, infection with MDR bacteria, and palliative care; introduction of ALT at the start of treatment, hematological malignancies, and adherence to an institutional protocol for the management of LTCVC-associated infection were identified as protective factors. Despite the high incidence of infection with MDR bacteria, ALT improves the outcome of LTCVC-associated infection in cancer patients.

Rhizopus arrhizus and Fusarium solani Concomitant Infection in an Immunocompromised Host.

Neutropenic patients are at risk of the development of hyalohyphomycosis and mucormycosis. Correct identification is essential for the initiation of the specific treatment, but concomitant mold infections are rarely reported. We report one unprecedented case of concomitant mucormycosis and fusariosis in a neutropenic patient with acute myeloid leukemia. The patient developed rhino-orbital infection by Rhizopus arrhizus and disseminated infection by Fusarium solani. The first culture from a sinus biopsy grew Rhizopus, which was consistent with the histopathology report of mucormycosis. A second sinus biopsy collected later during the patient's clinical deterioration was reported as hyalohyphomycosis, and the culture yielded F. solani. Due to the discordant reports, the second biopsy was reviewed and two hyphae types suggestive of both hyalohyphomycetes and mucormycetes were found. The dual mold infection was confirmed by PCR assays from paraffinized tissue sections. Increased awareness of the existence of dual mold infections in at-risk patients is necessary. PCR methods in tissue sections may increase the diagnosis of dual mold infections. In case of sequential biopsies showing discrepant results, mixed infections have to be suspected.

Infection related to implantable central venous access devices in cancer patients: epidemiology and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of infections related to the use of implantable central venous access devices (CVADs) in cancer patients and to evaluate measures aimed at reducing the rates of such infections. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Referral hospital for cancer in São Paulo, Brazil. PATIENTS: We prospectively evaluated all implantable CVADs employed between January 2009 and December 2011. Inpatients and outpatients were followed until catheter removal, transfer to another facility, or death. METHODS: Outcome measures were bloodstream infection and pocket infection. We also evaluated the effects that the creation of a multidisciplinary team for CVAD care, avoiding in-hospital implantation of CVADs, and limiting CVAD insertion in neutropenic patients have on the rates of such infections. RESULTS: During the study period, 966 CVADs (mostly venous ports) were implanted in 933 patients, for a combined total of 243,792 catheter-days. We identified 184 episodes of infection: 154 (84%) were bloodstream infections, 21 (11%) were pocket infections, and 9 (5%) were surgical site infections. During the study period, the rate of CVAD-related infection dropped from 2.2 to 0.24 per 1,000 catheter-days ([Formula: see text]). Multivariate analysis revealed that relevant risk factors for such infection include surgical reintervention, implantation in a neutropenic patient, in-hospital implantation, use of a cuffed catheter, and nonchemotherapy indication for catheter use. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a multidisciplinary team specifically focused on CVAD care, together with systematic reporting of infections, appears to reduce the rates of infection related to the use of these devices.