Tunnel infection is an uncommon but serious complication observed in patients with partially implanted central venous catheters. International guidelines suggest that should include antibiotics and catheter removal. A success rate of only 5-20% was reported without catheter removal. We treated 13 episodes of tunnel Gram-positive bacterial infection occurring in pediatric patients with cancer or serious blood disorders with 24-hr intra-catheter antibiotic continuous infusion. This approach led to a 69% success rate. Continuous infusion might be an attractive option to treat tunnel Gram-positive bacterial infections when catheter removal might not be feasible or advisable.
2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc