IN-VIVO REDUCTION OF BACTERIAL-POPULATIONS IN THE URINARY-TRACT OF CATHETERIZED SHEEP BY IONTOPHORESIS

Purpose: Iontophoresis kills microbes in vitro and, therefore, may be a useful method for eliminating microbial populations associated with catheter-induced urinary tract infections in vivo. Materials and Metho ds: Catheters were modified to deliver current to platinum electrodes in the catheter tip. Female sheep were catheterized with this iontopho retic catheter and left ambulatory. In 5 sheep (experimental group) 40 0 mu A was applied to the catheter and withheld in 4 sheep (control gr oup) for 20 to 21 days. The animals were then sacrificed. During the s tudy, types and concentrations of bacteria, and physical and chemical characteristics of the urine samples were determined. Results: Through out the study, bacteria levels were reduced in urinary tracts of the e xperimental group (10(3) to 10(4) microbes per ml.) compared with the control group (10(7) microbes per ml.), without extensive alterations to urine chemistry or the sheep urinary tract. Conclusions: Since iont ophoresis safely reduced bacterial populations in catheterized sheep, this technology may reduce or eliminate nosocomial, catheter-induced u rinary tract infections in humans.