Diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infections: Is it necessary to culture the subcutaneous catheter segment?

In order to determine the diagnostic usefulness of culturing the subcutaneo us catheter segment, an analysis was performed using data derived from two prospective, randomized studies that included 479 patients with central ven ous catheters and 13 episodes of catheter-related bacteremia. The results i ndicate that quantitative culture, using the roll-plate and sonication meth ods, of the subcutaneous catheter segment did not add to the diagnostic yie ld (sensitivity, 83-100%; specificity, 82-97%; negative predictive value, 1 00%) of semiquantitative and quantitative catheter-tip cultures or aid in i dentifying catheter-related bloodstream infections.