COMPARISON OF DIAGNOSTIC SPECIMENS AND METHODS TO EVALUATION INFECTEDVENOUS ACCESS PORTS

BACKGROUND: implanted venous access port infection can be difficult to diagnose and treat. If device removal is necessary, confirming port i nfection is problematic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Culture specimens from three sites, catheter tip (Tip), port pocket, and the material within the reservoir (Inside), were sent from ports removed for potential in fection. The results of these cultures were compared to pre-removal pe ripheral and central blood cultures. RESULTS: Forty-five ports were re moved for suspected infection. Confirmed port infection was defined as positive culture(s) from one dr more experimental specimen(s). In 29 evaluable cases, the Inside specimens were completely predictive. Tip specimens were less accurate, even with a lower diagnostic threshold. In 7 of 19 confirmed infections, only the Inside culture was diagnosti c. CONCLUSION: The most predictive culture specimen in a potentially i nfected port is the thrombotic material inside the reservoir.