Infectivity in the clinical hematology department of a University Hospital in Tlemcen-Algeria: Involvement of microbial biofilms in catheters alteration

The use of catheters in hematology departments, particularly over extended periods, can lead to significant complications for patients. Microbiological alteration of these devices may result in various types of infectivity. Central venous catheters (CVC), as invasive medical devices, are particularly susceptible to colonization by bacteria capable of forming biofilms, thereby increasing the risk of associated infections. The aim of this study was to characterize the types of infectivity observed in the clinical hematology department of the University Hospital of Tlemcen (Algeria), identify the microbial species involved, and to examine the inner surfaces of altered CVC for the presence of bacterial biofilms using scanning electron microscopy.