• Jin J Bong, Peter Kite, Basil J Ammori, Mark H Wilcox, and Michael J McMahon.
• Division of Surgery, The University of Leeds, United Kingdom. jjb@jinbong.freeserve.co.uk
• Jpen Parenter Enter. 2003 Mar 1;27(2):146-50.

BackgroundAcridine orange leukocyte cytospin (AOLC) is a highly sensitive and specific test for the detection of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). We evaluated the role of the AOLC test in early detection or exclusion of CRBSI and compared the cost of managing patients with suspected CRBSI.MethodsOn the day of clinical suspicion of CRBSI, blood samples were obtained from the catheters for the AOLC test, and peripheral blood samples were obtained for quantitative blood cultures. Catheters with positive AOLC results were immediately removed for culture and replaced if necessary. Catheters with negative AOLC tests were left in situ. We compared the catheter lifespan in patients with suspected CRBSI who had positive and negative AOLC tests and calculated the cost of using the AOLC test to prevent indiscriminate catheter removal.ResultsFifty patients with suspected CRBSI were tested and prospectively followed up. Catheters were removed in 10 patients (20%) with a positive AOLC test, and CRBSI was confirmed in each case subsequently. Selective removal of catheters based on AOLC tests significantly extended the lifespan of catheters compared with an indiscriminate removal of catheters based on clinical suspicion of CRBSI (median, 24 versus 11 days; p < .0001). The cost of an AOLC test and selective catheter replacement strategy was significantly lower than the cost of routine removal and replacement of catheters (median, pounds sterling 9.53 versus pounds sterling 64.20; p < .0001).ConclusionThe AOLC test enables a rapid detection of CRBSI, avoids unnecessary removal of catheters, and provides a cost-efficient management approach in patients with suspected CRBSI.

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