Prevention of peripherally inserted central catheter-related infections in very low-birthweight infants by using a central line bundle guideline with a standard checklist

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of using a central line bundle(CLB)guideline with a standard checklist in the prevention of peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)-related infections(CRIs)in very low-birth-weight infants(VLBWIs).Methods:Fifty-seven VLBWIs who underwent PICC insertion at a hospital in Qingdao,China,between November 2012 and June 2013,were monitored with the CLB guideline and a standard checklist.Fifty-three VLBWIs who underwent PICC insertion were monitored by standard hospital procedures.The incidence of CRIs was compared between the two groups.Results:The incidence of infection significantly decreased from 10.0%catheter days in the control group to 2.2%catheter days in the study group(p<0.05).The indwelling catheter time significantly increased in the study group compared to the control group(31.9±15.0days vs.24.8±7.4 days,respectively,p<0.05).Colonization infections also decreased from 6.9% catheter days in the control group to 2.2%catheter days in the study group(p<0.05).The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections decreased from 3.1%catheter days in the control group to 0%catheter days in the study group.Conclusion:The use of a CLB guideline with a standard checklist could be an effective and feasible protocol for preventing CRIs and prolonging indwelling catheter timein VLBWIs.

Catheters coated with Zn-doped CuO nanoparticles delay the onset of catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections （CAUTIs） are among the most common bacterial infections associated with medical devices. In the current study, the synthesis, coating, antibiofilm properties, and biocompatibility of urinary catheters coated with Zn-doped CuO （Zn0.12Cu0.880） nanoparticles （NPs） were examined. The doped NPs were synthesized and subsequently deposited on the catheter by the sonochemical method. The coated catheters displayed high antibiofilm activity and promising biocompatibility, as indicated by low in vitro cytotoxicity, negligible associated cytokine secretion, and absence of detectable irritation. The biocompatibility and ability of the Zn-doped CuO coating to inhibit biofilm formation were also evaluated in vivo using a rabbit model. Rabbits catheterized with uncoated catheters scored positive for CAUTI by day 4 of the experiment. In contrast, rabbits catheterized with Zn-doped CuO-coated catheters did not exhibit CAUTI until day 7 or remained completely uninfected for the whole duration of the 7-day experiment. Furthermore, the in vivo biocompatibility assays and examinations supported the biosafety of Zn-doped CuO-coated catheters. Taken together, these data highlight the potential of Zn-doped CuO nanocomposite as effective antibiofilm compound.