Infections of Scribner and Brescia arteriovenous shunts

The incidence of infections of Scribner shunts and Brescia fistulae in patients receiving intermittent haemodialysis was compared. In both groups infection was most commonly due to Staphylococcus aureus and was associated especially with carriage of this organism on the skin of the limb where the shunt or fistula was sited. The incidence of local infection was much less with the Brescia fistula but this was accompanied by a relatively higher incidence of septicaemia.