Central Venous Catheter Tip Culture and Sensitivity Pattern from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jammu Region, India

The use of Central Venous Catheters (CVC) in critically ill patients often leads to Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSI). Blood stream infections which are associated with catheter is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Aim of the study is to find the type of organisms isolated from Central venous catheter tip and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. A total of 100 samples were received in our laboratory over a period of one year. Samples were processed; organisms were isolated and subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity according to standard laboratory procedures. AST interpretation was done according to latest CLSI Guidelines. Of the 100 samples received in our laboratory, 11(11%) showed no growth or insignificant growth. 64% of the total samples were Gram Negative Bacilli and 23% were Gram Positive Cocci, 2% were Candida albicans. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common organisms isolated among gram negative bacilli and gram positive cocci respectively. Sensitive drugs in case of gram positive cocci were vancomycin and linezolid and in case of gram negative bacilli were Colistin and polymyxin B.