Using Microbial Genomics to Elucidate the Source of Central-line Associated Bloodstream Infections

This is a prospective cohort pilot study at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) that will explore the source of presumed CLABSI, which we believe may actually have multiple possible sources including MBI. We plan to enroll all inpatient children at BCH who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of MBI-LCBI as well as children who meet the criteria for CLABSI without MBI. For all enrolled patients, we will collect samples from the oral cavity, respiratory tract, skin, and stool. These samples will be cultured in order to see if the same microbial species and strain(s) growing from the blood also grow from these other sites. Cultures will then have isolated colonies selected for whole-genome DNA sequencing to allow assessment of genomic diversity between body sites. Stool and blood samples will be tested for markers of MBI. All patient enrollment and sample collection will be done at BCH.