A novel antimicrobial central venous catheter impregnated with benzalkonium chloride.
Catheter-related sepsis is a common complication associated with the use of central venous catheters (CVC). In an attempt to overcome this problem benzalkonium chloride was incorporated into a CVC polymer. The effect of the presence of benzalkonium chloride on microbial colonization of the CVC was then assessed in vitro. MICs and MBCs of benzalkonium chloride for a range of organisms were performed and good activity against Gram-positive organisms was confirmed. In order to assess the antimicrobial activity of the benzalkonium-chloride-impregnated catheter, 2 cm lengths were placed on to nutrient agar plates inoculated with various micro-organisms. Zones of inhibition against five strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and two strains of Staphylococcus aureus were demonstrated. Smaller zones of inhibition was also produced with Gram-negative species and Candida albicans. The zone sizes correlated with the MICs. Bacterial adherence to the benzalkonium-chloride-impregnated catheters was determined in both static and dynamic models and was significantly reduced compared with control catheters, containing no antimicrobial agent (P < 0.01). Inhibition of microbial adherence to benzalkonium-chloride-impregnated catheters placed in 25% human blood in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), for up to seven days or PBS alone for 14 days was detected. The findings indicate that benzalkonium-chloride-impregnated catheters exhibit reduced microbial colonization by a range of organisms in vitro. The incorporation of benzalkonium chloride into a CVC may thus offer an effective method for the prevention of catheter related sepsis.
Tebbs
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SE
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Elliott
T S
TS
D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008954:Models, Biological
D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D003470:Culture Media