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Table 3 Unexplained fever, catheter removed and positive microbiology (EXPERT OPINION)

From: Expert consensus-based clinical practice guidelines management of intravascular catheters in the intensive care unit

Catheter removed in a context of fever and positive microbiology

Antibiotics and duration

Staphylococcus aureus, Candida spp.

 Negative blood culture

3–5 days

 Positive blood culture with no remote complications

14 days

 Positive blood culture with remote complications

4 to 6 weeks

Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus

 Negative blood culture

No antibioticsa

 Positive blood culture with no distant complications

7 days

 Positive blood culture with remote complications

4 to 6 weeks

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii

 Negative blood culture

3–5 daysa

 Positive blood culture with no distant complications

7 days

 Positive blood culture with distant complications

4 to 6 weeks

  1. aThese proposals are based on poor-quality epidemiological data and are only presented as a guide. They must be modulated according to the presence of signs of clinical sepsis, intravascular devices, and underlying immunosuppression