title: Taurolidine is effective in the treatment of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections in cancer patients.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstreet 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. michael.koldehoff@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koldehoff
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zakrzewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012996:Solutions; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013829:Thiadiazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D012996:Solutions; D013829:Thiadiazines; D013654:Taurine; C012566:taurolidine