Microbiological analysis of tunneled hemodialysis catheters isolated from patients receiving hemodialysis in Saskatchewan

<b>Aim:</b> To compare the microbial communities inside hemodialysis catheters from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients to determine their differences.<b>Materials & methods:</b> Catheters (<i>n</i> = 41) were removed from patients in the Saskatchewan Health Authority over an 18-month period. The catheter section inside the body was flushed and the contents were evaluated using culture-dependent and culture-independent analysis.<b>Results:</b> All catheters were colonized by bacteria, with considerable overlap between groups based on microbial communities and the individual species detected. More Gram-negative species were detected by sequencing, whereas predominantly Gram-positive strains were cultured. Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation was widespread and not correlated with either catheter group.<b>Conclusion:</b> Common pathogens were detected in each set of catheters, therefore predicting infections based on the microbiology is difficult.