DEFINING INTRAVASCULAR CATHETER-RELATED INFECTIONS - A PLEA FOR UNIFORMITY

This article defines the complex interaction between catheterized pati ents and invading microbial pathogens. Catheter colonization reflects significant growth of a microbe on a catheter component. Localized int ravascular catheter-related infection denotes infection at the exit si te, tunnel tract, or pocket, in the absence of bloodstream infection. Systemic intravascular catheter-related infection is a complication of colonization or localized infection, usually documented by invasion o f the bloodstream. Catheter sepsis is a systemic infection that is dif ficult to define because symptoms associated with bloodstream infectio n caused by the most common pathogens to infect catheterized patients, coagulase-negative staphylococci, may not meet the previously publish ed criteria of sepsis. It is hoped that the information contained here will lead to greater uniformity in the definitions used by the many i nvestigators in this fascinating field. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1997 .