Incidence of and associated factors for bacterial colonization of intravenous catheters removed from dogs in response to clinical complications

Abstract

BackgroundInfection rate associated with intravenous (IV) catheter placement is emerging as an important issue in small animal veterinary medicine, mostly because of the economic costs associated with these infections. Identification of possible associated factors may provide useful information for the surveillance and prevention of such infections.ObjectivesTo determine the incidence of positive bacterial cultures obtained from IV catheters used in dogs hospitalized for at least 48 hours and removed because of clinical complication. To identify the bacteria involved and factors associated with bacterial colonization.AnimalsOne‐hundred eighty‐two dogs that underwent IV catheterization from January 2015 to July 2015 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Alfonso X el Sabio University of Madrid were enrolled in the study.ResultsThe bacterial colonization rate of all IV catheters removed in response to clinical complications was 39.6%, the cumulative proportion of catheters that remained in place at 24, 48, and 72 hours after placement was 89.5, 78, and 59.4%, respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression indicated significant associations for staff who performed catheterization (junior, P = .002; student, P = .034) and use of steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (P = .036). The most frequently isolated bacterium was Acinetobacter spp. (21.7%).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe bacterial colonization incidence related to IV catheter placement was slightly higher than the incidence described in other veterinary studies. Associated factors not previously described in veterinary medicine were found. The most frequently isolated organism was Acinetobacter spp., indicating its importance as an emerging pathogen in catheter colonization.

Prevalence of and risk factors for intravenous catheter infection in hospitalized cattle, goats, and sheep

“…Reported incidence of IVC infection in dogs and cats range from 15.4 to 22% . In dogs, bacteria isolated from IVCs are of gastrointestinal or environmental origin with Staphylococcus spp and Acinetobacter spp being the most frequently isolated bacteria. Furthermore, the bacteria isolated from IVCs in dogs are multidrug resistant, suggesting a negative impact on antibiotic treatment outcomes.…”

Inflammatory, Mechanical and Infectious Complications Associated with Peripheral Intravenous Catheters in Dogs and Cats: A Risk Factor Analysis

“…Nevertheless, PIVC use is generally associated with mechanical, inflammatory, and infectious complications [ 3 , 4 ]. Specifically, the rate of catheter-related infections is an important emerging issue in small animal veterinary medicine, mostly due to high morbidity, increased costs, and duration of treatment [ 14 , 24 ]. Furthermore, zoonotic risk arising from multi-drug resistant bacterial infections should be considered [ 25 ].…”

“…In studies conducted in dogs, a median indwell time of PIVCs ranging from 48 to 72 h was recorded [ 11 , 14 , 29 ], whereas the time of permanence in situ of PIVCs recorded in cats by Bush et al was 28.8 h when devices were removed due to discharge, and 16.6 h when the withdrawal was consequent to other reasons; a further study found that PIVCs remained in place for a time >72 h in more than 80% of the included cats [ 12 ]. The permanence time of PIVCs recorded in dogs in our study was shorter than that reported in previous studies.…”

“…This threshold was subsequently prolonged up to 96 h, and recent studies have shown no benefit of routine replacement, suggesting that clinically indicated replacement is not only safe but also saves costs and avoids unnecessary painful procedures [ 8 , 9 ]. Studies conducted in veterinary hospitals indicated the association between nosocomial infections and contamination of intravenous catheters, with devices’ contamination rates ranging from 15.4% to 39.6% in dogs and cats [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, although the indwelling time of intravenous catheters appears to be a risk factor for developing infectious complications, several studies have suggested that routine replacement of catheters every 72 h may not decrease the risk of catheter-associated infections [ 10 , 15 ].…”

Characteristics of arterial catheter use and related complications in dogs and cats in an intensive care unit

“…Although this was not directly assessed in the present study, 10 animals did experience insertion site reactions such as erythema and edema, which may have been indicative of incipient local infection. In studies of dogs and cats with peripheral IV catheters, the catheters of patients exhibiting clinical signs of infection were found to be colonized with bacteria between 39.6% and 42.9% of the time in dogs and cats, respectively 13,14 …”