Catheter-related infections in hemodialysis: frequency and microbiological profile patients undergoing antimicrobial lock therapy with gentamicin for prophylaxis

Catheter-related infections can cause major problems in hemodialysis patients. To stop these infections, antimicrobial lock therapy is a frequent preventative strategy. In this study, catheter-related infections among hemodialysis patients receiving gentamicin as an antibiotic lock treatment for prophylaxis were analyzed for frequency and microbiological characteristics. The current analysis was carried out at Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, from January to December 2021, involved 200 hemodialysis patients with either temporary or tunneled venous catheters. The clinical and demographic information of the patients was gathered, and cultures were acquired for any suspected illnesses. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics were employed. The majority of patients (88%) had a history of hemodialysis for more than one year. Temporary catheters were used in 82.5% of patients, while 17.5% had tunneled catheters. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly isolated organisms. The frequency distribution of cultures obtained for suspected infections showed that 51% of cultures were positive, with the majority of positive cultures being obtained from temporary catheters. Based on the results it can be concluded that the Gentamicin may be an effective antimicrobial agent for the prophylaxis of catheter-related infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci in hemodialysis patients. The study highlights the importance of effective prophylactic strategies in preventing catheter-related infections in hemodialysis patients and the need for close monitoring of catheters for signs of infection.