Addressing catheter lock therapy: Does heparin reduce the bioactivity of dalbavancin when together in solution during freezing?

Introduction: The possible use of dalbavancin as a catheter lock solution was previously demonstrated by our study group. However, it was needed to assess whether heparin could affect dalbavancin bioactivity during freezing storage.

Methods: We tested the bioactivity of a dalbavancin+heparin (DH) vs.

Impact of an interventional bundle on complications associated with peripheral venous catheters in elderly patients.

Purpose: Elderly patients admitted to geriatrics departments often require peripheral venous catheters (PVC), which should be inserted and maintained following a series of preventive recommendations. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a training bundle comprising measures aimed at reducing complications associated with the use of PVC in elderly patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of patients who received a PVC within 24 h of admission to a geriatrics department.

Infectious complications following major heart surgery from the day of the surgery to hospital discharge.

Background: At some point in their lives, many people will require major heart surgery (MHS). Patients are generally older adults with various risk factors for infection. However, the incidence of infection after MHS is poorly known, as reported infection data are frequently biased due to different factors like the surgical procedure, postoperative timing, and infectious syndromes or etiologic agents, among others.

Production of biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus: Association with infective endocarditis?

Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known biofilm-producing pathogen that is capable of causing chronic infections owing to its ability to resist antibiotic treatment and obstruct the immune response. However, the possible association between high biofilm production and infective endocarditis (IE) has not been assessed. Our objective was to compare production of biofilm by S.

Production of biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus: Association with infective endocarditis?

Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known biofilm-producing pathogen that is capable of causing chronic infections owing to its ability to resist antibiotic treatment and obstruct the immune response. However, the possible association between high biofilm production and infective endocarditis (IE) has not been assessed. Our objective was to compare production of biofilm by S.

Central venous catheter insertion: Review of recent evidence.

Guidelines for prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) describe a series of recommendations for correct insertion and handling of central venous catheters (CVCs). Since their implementation, quality programs such as "Zero bacteremia" have achieved a reduction in CR-BSI rates, but there is still room for further improvement. New evidence is emerging regarding, e.

Endotracheal tubes coated with a broad-spectrum antibacterial ceragenin reduce bacterial biofilm in an in vitro bench top model.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is one of the most common nosocomial infections, caused mainly by bacterial/fungal biofilm. Therefore, it is necessary to develop preventive strategies to avoid biofilm formation based on new compounds.

Objectives: We performed an in vitro study to compare the efficacy of endotracheal tubes (ETTs) coated with the ceragenin CSA-131 and that of uncoated ETTs against the biofilm of clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Escherichia coli (EC) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA).

Study To Evaluate the Bioactivity of Freezing a Heparin-Based Dalbavancin Lock Solution.

The use of dalbavancin as a catheter lock solution must be addressed in depth before implementation in clinical practice. We assessed whether a heparin-based dalbavancin lock solution could be frozen in single-dose vials for 6 months without affecting its bioactivity against biofilms of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSE). Over 6 months, we tested the bioactivity of a frozen solution of dalbavancin (≈1 mg/ml) plus heparin (60 IU) in terms of CFU counts and metabolic activity against biofilms of ATCC 43300 (MRSA) and ATCC 35984 (MRSE).

Selective digestive decontamination solution used as "lock therapy" prevents and eradicates bacterial biofilm in an in vitro bench-top model.

Background: Most preventing measures for reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are based mainly on the decolonization of the internal surface of the endotracheal tubes (ETTs). However, it has been demonstrated that bacterial biofilm can also be formed on the external surface of ETTs. Our objective was to test in vitro the efficacy of selective digestive decontamination solution (SDDs) onto ETT to prevent biofilm formation and eradicate preformed biofilms of three different microorganisms of VAP.

How should microbiology laboratories interpret cultures of the sonicate of closed needleless connectors?

Introduction: Our objective was to determine whether there is a cut-off in the needleless connectors' (NCs) cultures that when combined with skin cultures it was as efficient as conventional superficial cultures to rule-out catheter colonization (CC) and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI).

Methods: During 10 months, we collected samples and then we analyzed the validity values of skin+NCs cultures for CC and CRBSI considering the best cut-off showing at least >90% of specificity to have a high negative predictive value using a ROC curve.

Results: We collected a total of 167 catheters.

Randomized clinical trial analyzing maintenance of peripheral venous catheters in an internal medicine unit: Heparin vs. saline.

Background: Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) require adequate maintenance based on heparin or saline locks in order to prevent complications. Heparin has proven effective in central venous catheters, although its use in PVCs remains controversial. Our hypothesis was that saline locks are as effective as heparin locks in preventing problems with PVCs.

Colonization of the nasal airways by Staphylococcus aureus on admission to a major heart surgery operating room: A real-world experience.

Introduction: Nasal swab culture is used to identify Staphylococcus aureus colonization, as this is a major risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI) in patients who are going to undergo major heart surgery (MHS). We determined nasal carriage of S. aureus in patients undergoing MHS by comparing the yield of a conventional culture with that of a rapid molecular test (Xpert® SA Nasal Complete, Cepheid).

Correction: Is heparinized 40% ethanol lock solution efficient for reducing bacterial and fungal biofilms in an in vitro model?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Is heparinized 40% ethanol lock solution efficient for reducing bacterial and fungal biofilms in an in vitro model?

Background: We applied an in vitro model to evaluate the efficacy of a heparinized 40% ethanol-based lock solution in a wide variety of clinical isolates causing C-RBSI.

Methods: A total of 100 clinical strains were collected retrospectively from the blood of patients with C-RBSI. The reduction in biomass and metabolic activity of biofilms was measured using the crystal violet (CV) assay and XTT assay, respectively.

Impact of selective digestive decontamination without systemic antibiotics in a major heart surgery intensive care unit.

Purpose: The incidence density of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is higher in patients undergoing major heart surgery than in other populations, despite the introduction of bundles of preventive measures, because many risk factors are not amenable to intervention. Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) has been shown to be efficacious for decreasing the frequency of VAP, although it has not been incorporated into the routine of most intensive care units. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of SDD without parenteral antibiotics for preventing VAP in a major heart surgery intensive care unit.

T2MR contributes to the very early diagnosis of complicated candidaemia. A prospective study.

Objectives: Diagnosis of complicated candidaemia represents a challenge for clinicians since early clinical manifestations may be non-specific and difficult to identify, thus precluding an appropriate treatment.

Patients And Methods: This was a multicentre prospective study for predicting complicated episodes in patients with bloodstream infection caused by Candida species, while assessing the value of follow-up blood cultures (BCs) and the persistence of positive results for T2Candida MR (T2MR) and blood β-d-glucan (BDG) tests. Immediately after the first positive BC yielding Candida species, samples were obtained on days 0, +2, +4, +7 and +14, to simultaneously perform follow-up BC, T2MR and BDG.

T2Candida MR as a predictor of outcome in patients with suspected invasive candidiasis starting empirical antifungal treatment: a prospective pilot study.

Objectives: We assessed the potential role of T2Candida MR (T2MR) and serological biomarkers [β-d-glucan (BDG) or Candida albicans germ tube antibodies (CAGTA)], alone or in combination with standard cultures, for identifying patients with suspected invasive candidiasis (IC), who may benefit from maintaining antifungal therapy.

Methods: Prospective observational multicentre study including all adult patients receiving empirical antifungal therapy for suspected IC, from January to June 2017. CAGTA, BDG and T2MR were determined at baseline and at +2 and +4 days after enrolment.

Impact of a training program on adherence to recommendations for care of venous lines in internal medicine departments in Spain.

A high percentage of venous lines (VLs) are placed in non-ICU patients, particularly those treated in the internal medicine department (IMD). We assessed adherence to VL care after a training program aimed at nurses and clinicians attending patients admitted to Spanish IMDs. We performed a multicenter prospective observational point prevalence study in 14 Spanish IMDs in 2013 and 2016.

In vitro assessment of the anti-biofilm activity of ethanol alone and in combination with enoxaparin 60IU.

Introduction: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (C-RBSI) can sometimes be managed without catheter removal by combining systemic therapy with catheter lock therapy. Most antiseptic lock solutions are made up of ethanol combined with an anticoagulant. However, data regarding the anti-biofilm activity of ethanol combined with enoxaparin are scarce.

Eradication of P. aeruginosa biofilm in endotracheal tubes based on lock therapy: results from an in vitro study.

Background: Despite the several strategies available for the management of biofilm-associated ventilator-associated pneumonia, data regarding the efficacy of applying antibiotics to the subglottic space (SS) are scarce. We created an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) applied in the SS for eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm in endotracheal tubes (ETTs).

Methods: We applied 2 h of ALT to a P.