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Are anaerobic bacteria involved in peripheral vein catheter associated thrombophlebitis?
P Collignon1, T Sorrell, P Garret
1Microbiology Department, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract:
While thrombophlebitis is a common complication of intravenous therapy, infection has been shown to be a cause of this problem in only a minority of cases. However, the methodology employed in the past would not have detected the anaerobes as a cause of this problem. As anaerobes are associated with thrombophlebitis in situations such as septic pelvic thrombophlebitis, we undertook a study to see if they might also be involved in thrombophlebitis associated with peripheral vein catheters. We prospectively studied 26 episodes of peripheral intravenous catheter associated thrombophlebitis. These catheters were all cultured under aerobic conditions by the semiquantitative technique on blood agar plates. In addition, they were promptly processed and cultured under optimal anaerobic conditions. In none of the episodes of thrombophlebitis were the catheters positive on semiquantitative culture. In addition, we did not show the presence of anaerobes on any of these catheters. We conclude that there is no evidence that anaerobes are associated with peripheral vein thrombophlebitis.
Insights
Anaerobic bacteria do not cause thrombophlebitis in peripheral veins. This study found no evidence linking anaerobic infections to peripheral intravenous catheter complications, suggesting other causes are more likely.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Thrombophlebitis is a frequent complication of intravenous therapy.
- Previous studies may have overlooked anaerobic bacteria as a cause due to methodological limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of anaerobic bacteria in peripheral intravenous catheter-associated thrombophlebitis.
- To determine if anaerobic infections are associated with this common complication.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 26 episodes of peripheral intravenous catheter-associated thrombophlebitis.
- Catheter cultures performed using semiquantitative aerobic techniques and prompt anaerobic culturing.
- Analysis focused on identifying the presence of anaerobic microorganisms.
Main Results:
- No catheters tested positive for infection using semiquantitative aerobic cultures.
- Anaerobic bacteria were not detected on any of the cultured catheters.
- The study found no correlation between anaerobic bacteria and thrombophlebitis.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the association of anaerobic bacteria with peripheral vein thrombophlebitis.
- Further research may be needed to identify the causative agents of this complication.