Efficacy of a central venous catheter (Hydrocath) loaded with teicoplanin in preventing subcutaneous staphylococcal infection in the mouse.

Segments (1 cm in length) of a central venous catheter (Hydrocath) coated with teicoplanin, or uncoated, were inserted subcutaneously into mice and Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis were inoculated nearby. At 24 and 48 h after infection, the mean titre of adherent bacteria (recovered by sonication) for the teicoplanin-coated catheters was less than 10 CFU as compared to more than 10(4) CFU (S. aureus) and 10(3) CFU (S. epidermidis) from the uncoated catheters. In the S. aureus infection, teicoplanin coating also prevented the formation of abscesses which were observed around uncoated catheters.