In-vitro efficacy of a central venous catheter ('Hydrocath') loaded with teicoplanin to prevent bacterial colonization.

A technique is described by which a central venous catheter ('Hydrocath') is loaded with the glycopeptide teicoplanin for the prevention of catheter infection. Catheters are immersed in teicoplanin solution and, due to the hydrophilic surface coating of the 'Hydrocath' catheter, teicoplanin is absorbed by the surface layer. The catheter loading is influenced by the experimental conditions and is assessed by measuring teicoplanin elution from the catheter using a bioassay. Increasing the antibiotic concentration, incubation time and temperature leads to the binding of higher amounts of teicoplanin to the catheter, resulting in a higher teicoplanin release from the catheter. Experiments on in-vitro bacterial adherence to teicoplanin-loaded and unloaded catheters reveal that the initial bacterial adhesion is not prevented. However, in the case of the teicoplanin-loaded catheter initially adherent bacteria are eliminated from the catheter surface, thus preventing catheter colonization by bacteria for at least 48 h. Such loaded catheters could be suitable for inhibiting early-onset, catheter-related infections.