Taurolidine is effective in the treatment of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections in cancer patients

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2004 Nov;24(5):491-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2004.06.006.

Abstract

Taurolidine is an antimicrobial agent that was originally used in the local treatment of peritonitis and was shown to be effective in the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI). In this pilot study, we used taurolidine solution as an intravenous (i.v.) lock into the totally implantable intravascular devices of 11 consecutive oncological patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections not responding to systemic antimicrobial chemotherapy. All patients recovered completely from the infection. No adverse drug effects were seen. Three patients were successfully retreated for a recurrent infection. Our data suggest a beneficial role of taurolidine i.v. lock for the therapy of catheter-related bloodstream infections in oncological patients. Taurolidine i.v. lock application is feasible and could especially be useful in infections resistant to antibiotic chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy*
  • Bacteremia / etiology
  • Bacteremia / prevention & control
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / drug therapy*
  • Solutions
  • Taurine / administration & dosage
  • Taurine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Taurine / therapeutic use*
  • Thiadiazines / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Solutions
  • Thiadiazines
  • Taurine
  • taurolidine