Diagnosis and treatment of central venous catheter related infections

: The central venous catheter related infections are relatively common in clinical practice. These infections are particularly frequent in the patients with long-term central venous catheter, such as the oncology patients or patients with short intestine syndrome. The diagnosis of infection should be based on repeated positive blood cultures. In some cases the infection responds well to antibiotic treatment. Unless there are indications for removal of catheter antibiotic therapy should be applied for 1-2 weeks.