Abstract:Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC).Methods The clinical data of hospitalized patients with PICC at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from May 2017 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients developing CRBSI were included as the infection group, and those without CRBSI during the same period were assigned into the non-infection group. Based on the collected clinical data, the influencing factors of CRBSI in patients with PICC were analyzed by univariable and multivariable analyses.Results A total of 235 medical records were collected, including 79 cases in the infection group and 156 cases in the non-infection group. Eighty pathogenic strains were detected in the infection group, including 23 strains of Gram-positive bacteria, 43 strains of Gram-negative bacteria, 9 fungal strains, and 5 other types. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that Escherichia coli exhibited low resistance rates to cefoperazone-sulbactam, imipenem, and amikacin. Klebsiella pneumoniae showed low resistance rates to piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem. Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated low resistance rates to levofloxacin and amikacin, while a low resistance rate to ceftriaxone was observed in Acinetobacter baumannii. Gram-positive bacteria presented low resistance rates to linezolid and vancomycin. The multivariable Logistic regression analysis suggested that admission to the internal medicine ward [O^R = 10.616; 95% CI: 3.377, 33.378) ] and the intensive care unit [O^R = 29.635 (95% CI: 4.745, 185.090) ] were risk factors for CRBSI in patients with PICC (P < 0.05), and that high erythrocyte count [O^R = 0.186 (95% CI: 0.098, 0.356) ], high platelet count [O^R = 0.995 (95% CI: 0.991, 0.999) ], and high albumin levels [O^R = 0.895 (95% CI: 0.828, 0.967) ] were all protective factors (P < 0.05).Conclusions Gram-negative bacteria are the predominant pathogens in PICC-related CRBSIs. The occurrence of CRBSI in PICC patients is associated with admission to the internal medicine ward or the intensive care unit, low red blood cell count, low platelet count, and low levels of albumin. These findings highlight the need for increased clinical attention and timely implementation of appropriate preventive measures.