[Staphylococcus nasal carriage and infection of central venous ports in oncology].

Objective: To assess the risk of infection of either subcutaneously implanted central venous access devices or percutaneous central venous catheters inserted via a subcutaneous tunnel in cancer patients with a positive staphylococcal nasal carriage.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Patients: The study included 266 patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy.

Method: A nasal swab was taken prior to insertion of the venous access device and the patients were followed over 30 days for the occurrence of a staphylococcal infection (hemoculture and device or site of insertion).

Results: A nasal staphylococcal nasal carriage was found in 227 patients. Out of the 15 developing a device infection, a staphylococcal nasal colonization was existing in nine patients. Bacteriological screening a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 13%.

Conclusion: Bacteriological screening at the time of device insertion of a central venous access device is of no value for the detection of patients at risk of staphylococcal infection of the device.