title: Use of chlorhexidine-releasing nylon fibres to reduce device-related uterine infections.
abstract: Implantation of intrauterine devices (IUDs) is associated with an increased incidence of uterine infection, probably as a result of vaginal bacteria entering the uterus at the time of insertion. To reduce the incidence of IUD-related infections, the incorporation of antimicrobial agents into the tail of the device was studied. Chlorhexidine was shown to be released from within nylon hollow fibres at a rate of approximately 114 microg x day(-1) for 10 days. This rate of release was sufficient to exhibit a biocidal effect on bacteria embedded within a mucus gel in vitro. When these devices were implanted transcervically into the guinea-pig uterus they significantly reduced the extent of uterine bacterial contamination within 24 h. These findings indicate that chlorhexidine-releasing devices are potentially useful in the reduction of device-related infections.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, UK. p.r.gard@brighton.ac.uk
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gard
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Hanlon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D009757:Nylons; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013552:Swine; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009757:Nylons; D002710:Chlorhexidine