Assessment of peripheral venous catheters microbiota and its association with phlebitis.

Background: Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) remain the primary mode of short-term venous access for managing intravenous fluid, obtaining blood samples, and peripheral parenteral nutrition. They may get contaminated and require regular monitoring to prevent complications. This study evaluated the occurrence of phlebitis and its associated-clinical and microbiological indicators.

Methods: The frequency of phlebitis was evaluated in hospitalized patients of both medical and surgical fields. Subsequently, the dichotomous association between the presence of phlebitis and the clinical aspects was investigated. In parallel, the bacterial contamination of PVCs was assessed through culture-based methods, microscopy observation, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results: Approximately one in four patients presented phlebitis (28.4%). The most frequent symptom was erythema at access site, with or without pain, corresponding to Score 1 on the phlebitis scale (17.9%). Colonization of both lumen and external surface of PVC was observed in 31.3% of the samples. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were the most isolated bacterial genera on the PVC surface. No significant association was observed between the presence of phlebitis and the clinical aspects, as well as the presence of microorganisms.

Conclusion: Microorganism were present on both internal and external PVC surface, without being associated to phlebitis.