Increased risk of catheter colonization and catheter-related infections in severe immunocompromized patients with multiple myeloma undergoing high-dose glucocorticoid treatment.

Catheter-related infections (CRI) are an important problem in medicine because of major consequences for treatment, prolongation of hospitalization and increasing therapy costs. Malignancies, immunodeficiency, severe burns and malnutrition compromise host defense. Studies to quantify the increased risk of CRI in immunocompromised patients are required. We analyzed the influence of immunoglobulin deficiency and high-dose glucocorticoid treatment in patients with multiple myeloma with regard to catheter colonization and CRI.