[Central venous catheter-related bacteraemia: prospective study in a Moroccan medical intensive care unit]

to determine the incidence of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) in a Moroccan medical intensive care unit, the microbiological profile of this infection and risk factors associated with its occurrence.

Prospective observational study.

over a period of 8 months, patients who required central venous catheter (CVC) placement for a duration greater than 48 h were included in the study. The CRB has been defined by the criteria of the SRLF Consensus Conference. The proportions of colonization and CRB were expressed as incidence density (ID). Risk factors for colonization were studied in univariate analysis.

one hundred and two CVC were inserted in 70 patients. The average age was 54 ± 20 years with an APACHE II of 28 ± 10. The ID of colonization and CRB were respectively 34 for 1000 days of CVC use and 8 for 1000 days of CVC use. The isolated microorganisms were Gram-negative bacilli in 73 %, Gram-positive cocci in 22 % and finally yeast in 5 %. A prolonged duration of catheterization and the absence of systemic antibiotic therapy before catheterization were the main risk factors for colonization.

the incidence of CRB was high. These results impose a reflection of the care team to improve protocols for prevention of such nosocomial infections.