Gram-negative organisms predominate in Hickman line-related infections in non-neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies

Abstract

Background: Catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSI) cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies. Previous studies have identified a predominance of gram-positive organisms causing CRBSI but they included both neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients with solid organ and hematological malignancies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence and microbiological profile of CRBSIs in a specific cohort of patients with hematological malignancies in their non-neutropenic phase of illness. Methods: A detailed retrospective review was done from January 2003 to December 2005 on all patients with hematological malignancies who had double-lumen..