Objective To determine the clinical effects of glutamine (Gln) on central venous catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSI) in the elderly patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Methods A total of 96 elderly patients with MODS and central venous catheters hospitalized in our intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2012 to December 2013 were recruited in this study. They were prospectively divided into 2 groups at random, Gln group and control group. The control group received conventional treatments for MODS, while the Gln group received these treatments plus glutamine treatment. The incidence of CRBSI was compared between the 2 groups. Results Compared with the control group, the Gln group had significantly lower incidence of CRBSI, and longer duration of catheter retention. Bacterial culture results indicated that the positivity rate of Gram-negative bacteria was significantly lower in Gln group than in control group, but there was no significant difference in Gram-positive bacteria and fungi between the 2 groups. Conclusion For the elderly MODS patients, fortified nutrition support with Gln significantly reduces the incidence of CRBSI, especially for Gram-negative bacterial infection, and extends the duration of catheter retention.