[Infection in the dialysis unit as a contributing factor to the problem of hospital acquired infections]

Hospital acquired infections are especially dangerous for patients with chronic renal insufficiency. An epidemic of hospital acquired infection of dramatic course in described in 13 patients (8 being on haemodialysis (HD) and 5 treated conservatively), with 15 episodes of septic syndrome (12 cases) or septic shock (3 cases). Initial cultures of blood, urine and pharyngeal swabs were positive only in 5 patients treated conservatively. Initial cultures of dialysing fluid from all 12 monitors of HD in our Dialysis Unit revealed the presence of Gram-negative bacteria (Achromobacter) in blood of 3 patients as well as in the dialysing fluid compartments from 2 monitors of Gambro AK 10/100. The possible role of Gram-negative, apparently benign water rods, in the pathogenesis of hospital acquired opportunistic infections in Dialysis Unit were discussed.