MODIFICATION OF CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER POLYMERS TO PREVENT IN-VITRO MICROBIAL COLONIZATION

The efficacy of an antimicrobial catheter for the prevention of bacter ial colonisation was investigated. The catheter was hydrophilic coated (Hydrocath) and impregnated with the quaternary ammonium antimicrobia l agent, benzalkonium chloride (BZC). Microbial colonisation of this c entral venous catheter was compared to that of polyurethane catheters with or without a hydrophilic coating. Adherence of five strains of St aphylococcus epidermidis to the three catheter types was determined wi th a microbial colonisation model. Adherence of three strains of Staph ylococcus epidermidis to Hydrocath catheters was significantly reduced in comparison to polyurethane catheters (p < 0.01). BZC-impregnated H ydrocath catheters prevented bacterial colonisation of both the intern al and external catheter surfaces (p < 0.01). These results were confi rmed by scanning electron microscopy. The findings demonstrate that hy drophilic-coated Hydrocath catheters can inhibit bacterial adherence i n vitro. Bacterial colonisation was further restricted by the addition of BZC to these coated catheters.