Title |
Rhodococcus Bacteremia in Cancer Patients Is Mostly Catheter Related and Associated with Biofilm Formation
|
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Published in |
PLOS ONE, March 2012
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0032945 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Fadi Al Akhrass, Iba Al Wohoush, Anne-Marie Chaftari, Ruth Reitzel, Ying Jiang, Mahmoud Ghannoum, Jeffrey Tarrand, Ray Hachem, Issam Raad |
Abstract |
Rhodococcus is an emerging cause of opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients, most commonly causing cavitary pneumonia. It has rarely been reported as a cause of isolated bacteremia. However, the relationship between bacteremia and central venous catheter is unknown. Between 2002 and 2010, the characteristics and outcomes of seventeen cancer patients with Rhodococcus bacteremia and indwelling central venous catheters were evaluated. Rhodococcus bacteremias were for the most part (94%) central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Most of the bacteremia isolates were Rhodococcus equi (82%). Rhodococcus isolates formed heavy microbial biofilm on the surface of polyurethane catheters, which was reduced completely or partially by antimicrobial lock solution. All CLABSI patients had successful response to catheter removal and antimicrobial therapy. Rhodococcus species should be added to the list of biofilm forming organisms in immunocompromised hosts and most of the Rhodococcus bacteremias in cancer patients are central line associated. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 36 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Postgraduate | 6 | 17% |
Researcher | 5 | 14% |
Student > Master | 3 | 8% |
Student > Bachelor | 3 | 8% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 3 | 8% |
Other | 7 | 19% |
Unknown | 9 | 25% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 9 | 25% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 6 | 17% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 2 | 6% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 3% |
Unspecified | 1 | 3% |
Other | 4 | 11% |
Unknown | 13 | 36% |