Antibiotic hydrogel coated foley catheters for prevention of urinary tractinfection in a rabbit model

Purpose: We developed an antibiotic liposome (ciprofloxacin liposome) conta ining hydrogel for external coating of silicone Foley catheters and evaluat ed its efficacy in a rabbit model. Our goal was to create a catheter that w ould hinder the development of catheter associated nosocomial urinary tract infections. Materials and Methods: We inserted either an untreated, liposomal hydrogel coated or a liposome hydrogel with ciprofloxacin coated 10F silicone Foley catheter into New Zealand White rabbits. We challenged the system with 5 x 10(6) virulent Escherichia coli at the urethral meatus twice daily for 3 da ys. Urine cultures were evaluated twice daily for 7 days. When urine cultur es became positive, the rabbits were sacrificed and urine, urethral cathete r and urethral tissue were cultured. Results: The time to bacteriuria detection in 50% of the specimens was doub le for hydrogel with ciprofloxacin coated catheters versus untreated and hy drogel coated catheters. A significant (p = 0.04) improvement in average ti me to positive urine culture from 3.5 to 5.3 days and a 30% decrease in the bacteriuria rate for hydrogel with ciprofloxacin coated catheters were not ed compared to untreated catheters. Conclusions: A significant benefit was realized by coating the extraluminal catheter surface with a ciprofloxacin liposome impregnated hydrogel. We be lieve this procedure will provide a significant clinical advantage, while r educing health care costs substantially.