Cure of implantable venous port-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric hematology-oncology patients without catheter removal

The efficacy of antibiotic treatment of port-associated bloodstream infecti on without device removal has not been systematically studied. We analyzed the outcome of 43 consecutive port-associated bloodstream infections in ped iatric hematology-oncology patients, Etiologies included Staphylococcus epi dermidis (30) and Staphylococcus aureus (6), Antibiotics were given through the port for a median of 11 days. Four ports were removed within 72 hours. In 36 (92%) of the remaining 39 episodes, there was a response to antibiot ic therapy (defervescence and negative blood culture). In 78% of episodes i n which there was a response (excluding two in which the catheters were rem oved because of mechanical problems), the infections were cured without por t removal. Two of the four relapses were cured with a second course of anti biotics. The cure rate was 92% for S. epidermidis infections and 67% for S. aureus infections, Thus, the majority of port-associated bloodstream infec tions in pediatric hematology-oncology patients can be cured without device removal.