Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 342, Issue 8868, 14 August 1993, Pages 402-403
The Lancet

Short reports
Rapid diagnosis of central venou catheter sepsis

https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(93)92815-BGet rights and content

Abstract

Signs of infection with a central venous access device in situ raise the possibility of catheter sepsis. We evaluated three tests for diagnosis of infection in infants with suspected catheter sepsis. The acridine orange leucocyte cystopin (AOLC) test was 87% sensitive and 94% specific in the diagnosis of catheter-related sepsis defined by quantitative blood culture. The C-reactive protein and nitroblue tetrazolium tests were not as useful. Using the AOLC results, available in an hour, we now remove fewer catheters on suspicion of sepsis alone. Lancet 1993; 342: 402–03

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