Control of encrustation and blockage of Foley catheters.
Urinary catheters often become encrusted and blocked by crystalline Proteus mirabilis biofilms. Results of experiments in a laboratory model of a Foley catheterised bladder infected with P mirabilis showed that when retention balloons were inflated with a solution of triclosan (10 g/L), the catheters drained freely for at least 7 days. Triclosan became impregnated throughout the silicone catheter material and completely inhibited the formation of crystalline biofilm, whereas catheters inflated with water became blocked in 24 h. Our observations suggest a way to control a common complication in patients with long-term indwelling bladder catheters.
Stickler
D J
DJ
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3TL, Wales, UK. stickler@cardiff.ac.uk <stickler@cardiff.ac.uk>
Jones
G L
GL
Russell
A D
AD
D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization
D014260:Triclosan