title: Use of antibiotic locks to treat colonized central venous catheters.
abstract: Infections that result from bacterial colonization of central venous catheters are a significant problem in modern healthcare. The most effective means of eradication of such infections is the removal of colonized lines, but line removal carries drawbacks of its own and in many cases the balance of risks favours treatment in situ. Systemic antibiotics are usually administered but these frequently fail to achieve sterilization, and accordingly attention has turned to intraluminal therapy using antibiotic locks, in which 1-2 mL of a concentrated antibiotic solution is instilled to fill the lumen, left for a predetermined period, and removed. The evidence in favour of this technique is anecdotal and should not be allowed to influence any decision about line removal, but is sufficiently encouraging to justify the use of locks when in situ treatment is deemed acceptable. Indications, agents and appropriate administration regimes are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berrington
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Gould
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006020:Glycopeptides; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006020:Glycopeptides; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions