Conclusions

In this study, we examined 150 clinical isolates retrieved from infected VA grafts, including AVGs and TCCs, in hemodialysis patients by conducting a 5-year epidemiological surveillance at a single institution in Taiwan. The three major STs (i.e., ST239, ST59, and ST45) of MRSA with various spa types showed high genetic diversity in S. aureus VAIs. Moreover, the ST102 B. contaminans isolate and two newly identified STs, namely ST1723 and ST1724 B. cepaciaisolates, were exclusively retrieved from TCC-related infections. The increased incidence of infections engendered by S. argenteus and BCC provides insight into the potential clinical effects of S. argenteus and BCC species in VAIs.