Primary cutaneous infections with candida species associated with percutaneous intravenous catheters in patients with cancer.

Long-term percutaneous intravenous catheters have added greatly to the comfort of cancer patients who receive intensive therapy, but the resulting breach in body defenses contributes to infection. Staphylococcus epidermidis has been a prominent infecting organism, and recently aspergillus species have been reported in association with Hickman lines. Two patients are reported with yeast infection: Candida parapsilosis with a Groshong catheter and Candida albicans with a Hickman catheter. In immunocompromised patients such infections are potentially life-threatening and may reinforce the case for totally implanted venous access devices overlaid by intact skin.