Infections associated with central venous catheters. Intersociety update and recommendations 2025

This document is an updated consensus developed jointly by the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases and the Argentine Society of Intensive Care Medicine, revising the original 2018 recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Central LineAssociated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI). The methodology employed was a qualitative review of literature published from 2018 to 2024, supplemented by expert opinion and local epidemiological data. Among the main changes are the differentiation between clinical and epidemiological definitions, the proposal regarding the utility of catheter tip culture in diagnosis, and, concerning management, the provision of scenarios for CVC preservation, shortened treatment durations, the development of lock therapy, and the inclusion of complication management. The objective of this update is to revise and strengthen current recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of CLABSI. It also provides practical tools aimed at optimizing each of these aspects: clinical and microbiological diagnostic strategies, preventive measures including care bundles, and therapeutic approaches. With respect to treatment, the document outlines both empirical and targeted antimicrobial regimens, which should be tailored to local resistance patterns. It also includes guidance on the appropriate dosing and administration of antimicrobials in critically ill patients with CLABSI. Furthermore, the document presents a diagnostic and treatment algorithm to support clinical decision-making and standardize care. This multidisciplinary initiative underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to CLABSI, with the ultimate goal of preventing infections and optimizing their management in order to reduce morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, healthcare costs, and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.