Catheter sepsis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis during parenteral nutrition.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a pathogenic organism with increasing importance in total parenteral nutrition therapy. Strict asepsis during catheter insertion prolongs the interval free from Staphylococcus epidermidis infection. Staphylococcus epidermidis colonizes the catheter after migrating from the skin. For protection, we advise a long subcutaneous tunnel for all catheters that are to be indwelling for longer than three weeks. Prompt recatheterization of a patient with Staphylococcus epidermidis sepsis can result in hematogenous seeding of the new catheter and persistence of the infection. Catheter related Staphylococcus epidermidis sepsis has subsided after catheter withdrawal, and there is no need for antibiotic therapy provided that other prosthetic materials are not placed in the vascular tree. Immunologic status of the patients is not related to the frequency or severity of Staphylococcus epidermidis infections, or both.