Risk of Mortality of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections Caused by Acinetobacter Species: Is Early Removal of the Catheters Associated With a Better Survival Outcome?

PURPOSE: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Acinetobacter species have been extensively reported, however, which majorly focused on respiratory tract infections. The risk of mortality and the effect of early catheter removal on survival in catheter-related BSIs (CRBSIs) caused by Acinetobacter spp. remain unclear. This study aims to investigate that.

METHODS: This is a retrospective multicentric study conducted in Taiwan from 2012 to 2014. Patients with at least 1 positive blood culture and catheter culture for the same Acinetobacter spp., showing symptoms and signs of CRBSIs, were included (n = 119). Risk factors for 30-day mortality were analyzed using a logistic regression model. The characteristics of patients with early catheter removal (within 48 hours after CRBSIs) were compared to those without removal matching for age, sex, and disease severity.

RESULTS: There were no differences in 30-day mortality with regard to causative Acinetobacter spp., catheter type, site, and appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy. Patients with higher Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores (odds ratio [OR]: 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.23; P = .014), shock (OR: 6.43; 95% CI: 1.28-32.33; P = .024), and longer hospitalization before CRBSIs (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.00-1.08; P = .027) had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate. Early removal of catheters after CRBSIs was not associated with better survival benefits.

CONCLUSION: Higher disease severity (APACHE II score), shock, and longer hospitalization before bacteremia were independently associated with a higher 30-day mortality in CRBSIs caused by Acinetobacter spp. In previous published guidelines, infected catheters were suggested to be removed in CRBSIs caused by gram-negative bacilli. Even though early removal of catheters did not associate with a better survival outcome in current results, it should be judiciously evaluated according to the clinical conditions and risks individually. For better elucidation of these issues, further well-controlled prospective study may be warranted.