TAUROLIN FOR THE PREVENTION OF PARENTERAL-NUTRITION RELATED INFECTION- ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND LONG-TERM USE

A case is described in which bis (1, 1 dioxoperhydro-1, 2, 4-thiadiazi nyl-4-) methane (Taurolin) has safely been administered on a long term basis to prevent recurrent sepsis in a patient receiving parenteral n utrition. A 26-year-old male with Crohn's disease receiving parenteral nutrition suffered repeated episodes of sepsis and developed an infec ted intra-atrial thrombus despite repeated courses of antimicrobial ch emotherapy and surgical intervention. Continued parenteral nutrition w as essential due to intestinal failure. Taurolin was administered in t he parenteral feed, as a 0.3% solution, to prevent recrudescent and re current infection. This concentration was shown, in vitro, to be bacte ricidal to a variety of pathogenic organisms. No recurrence of sepsis, nor any evidence of side effects was observed throughout the 12 month period of Taurolin administration. After 12 months the taurolin was d iscontinued and within 2 weeks the patient was re-admitted with recurr ent septicaemia. Following re-introduction of Taurolin the infection w as controlled and the patient remains well. In our experience the addi tion of taurolin to the nutritive feeds of a patient at risk of sepsis is a safe and effective method of preventing recurrent sepsis.