The authors evaluate the prevalence of central venous catheter sepsis and possible catheter sepsis in granulocytopenic patients with acute leukaemia after intensive treatment with cytostatics. The group comprises 42 patients subjected to 57 catheterizations of a central vein. The period of catheterizations was 18-89 days, the average period 43 days. Catheter sepsis was revealed in 15 patients, i.e. 26.3% of all performed catheterizations, possible catheter sepsis was recorded in four patients, i. e. 7.0%. In almost half of the catheter sepses (42.1%) the same microbiological finding was recorded in the haemoculture and skin smear at the site of insertion of the catheter. Twelve patients were cured (21.0%), seven patients (16.7%) from the group of 42 died. To reduce the incidence of catheter sepsis it is important in the authors' opinion to make available high quality protective materials (Tegaderm plasters) and the entire infusion line should be changed daily.

Keywords: Acute Disease; Catheterization, Central Venous /adverse effects/; Humans; Infection /etiology/; Leukemia /therapy/