Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections: Effect of Patient and Pathogen Factors on Outcome

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant healthcare challenge, often linked to biofilm formation on invasive devices.
• Patients with central lines frequently have multiple comorbidities, complicating infection treatment and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify common bacterial pathogens causing CLABSI.
• To evaluate patient and pathogen factors influencing clinical outcomes of CLABSI.
• To investigate the role of biofilm formation in CLABSI virulence and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study involving patients diagnosed with CLABSI.
• Comprehensive clinical, microbiological, and laboratory assessments were performed.
• Biofilm-forming attributes of bacterial isolates were determined using Congo red agar, tube test, and microtiter plate assays.

Main Results:

• Klebsiella pneumoniae (48%) was the most common cause, followed by Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (16%), Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii (12% each).
• 56% of isolates exhibited biofilm production.
• All-cause mortality was 44%; poor prognosis was associated with deranged liver function and multidrug-resistant organisms (P=0.04).
• No significant difference in outcomes was observed between biofilm-producing and non-producing isolates.

Conclusions:

• Host and pathogen factors significantly influence CLABSI outcomes.
• This study is the first to explore the specific role of biofilm formation in CLABSI pathogen virulence and patient prognosis.