Use of Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition Solutions as a Risk Factor for Bacillus cereus Peripheral Venous Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infection at a Japanese Tertiary Care Hospital: a Case-Control Study

The risk factors are unclear for peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (PVCBSIs) caused by Bacillus cereus. We aimed to examine for these risk factors in patients with B. cereus PVCBSI by conducting a 2-year case-control study in a large teaching hospital. We analyzed all adult cases of B. cereus PVCBSI (37 patients) and 180 controls who were randomly selected from among patients who had a PVC in place for at least 2 days. Multivariate analysis using a conditional logistic regression model indicated that independent risk factors were use of a peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) solution with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 88.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.4–451.9), and steroid therapy (adjusted OR, 5.7 [95% CI, 1.3–24.4]). In conclusion, use of PPN solutions or steroids was an independent risk factor for B. cereus PVCBSI. Appropriate use of PPN solutions may help prevent B. cereus PVCBSI. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.