INHIBITION OF STAPHYLOCOCCI BY VANCOMYCIN ABSORBED ON TRIIDODECYLMETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE-COATED INTRAVENOUS CATHETER

Catheter-related infections are a serious problem in hospitalized pati ents. Triidodecylmethyl ammonium chloride (TDMAC)treated catheters wer e absorbed with the antibiotic vancomycin and evaluated for bactericid al activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermid is over time. Bactericidal activity occurred in a biphasic pattern wit h peak activity from 0-72 h and activity detectable for up to 6 days. Incubation of the TDMAC-coated catheters in serum did not reduce the b actericidal activity of vancomycin bound to the catheter for Staphyloc occi. These results document that TDMAC-coated catheters could be used to absorb vancomycin thereby expanding the range of antibiotics avail able for binding to surfactant-treated catheters. The use of vancomyci n would be helpful in preventing catheter infections by highly antibio tic-resistant organisms such as the Staphylococci, especially in sites such as the brain where effective concentration of other parenterally administered antibiotics is difficult to attain.