A prospective study of the efficacy of local application of gentamicin versus mupirocin in the prevention of peritoneal dialysis catheter-related infections.
BACKGROUND
Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections are the major cause of technique failure. Exit-site infections (ESI) can be prevented by local application of antibiotics. Mupirocin (M) is the most extensively studied drug for this application. Long-term use can result in the development of resistance. Gentamicin (G) is an attractive alternative, with both gram-positive and gram-negative activities. We studied the comparative efficacy of G cream versus M ointment in the prevention of PD-related infections in a Chinese cohort.


METHODS
This was a prospective study of adult PD patients of the Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong. Patients were excluded if they had active infection, recent ESI or peritontiis, history of allergy to either drug, or were unable to apply the drug or give consent. Patients were taught to apply the drug daily to the exit site after routine exitsite care. Records were tracked prospectively during hospital admissions and clinic follow-ups.


RESULTS
95 patients were recruited; 14 discontinued the study. The ESI rates were 0.38 and 0.20 episodes/patient-year for the G group and the M group respectively (p = 0.36). Gram-positive ESI rates were 0.18 and 0 episodes/patient-year for the G group and the M group respectively. Gram-negative ESI rates were 0.20 episodes/patient-year for both groups (p = 0.62). The overall peritonitis rates were similar in the two groups (p = 0.91).


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to good perioperative care and strict exit-site care, local antibiotic application can prevent ESI. Mupirocin has been extensively studied and shown to be effective. Similar if not superior effects of G cream have been demonstrated. In this study, neither antibiotic gave significantly better results in the prevention of either ESI or peritonitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Both gentamicin and mupirocin were effective as prophylaxis for ESI. Longer study is required to determine the long-term efficacy and the potential beneficial effect on the prevention of peritonitis.
Chu
Kwok Hong
KH
Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Pharmacy, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China. pmhrenal@gmail.com
Choy
Wai Yee
WY
Cheung
Chi Chung William
CC
Fung
Ka Shun
KS
Tang
Hon Lok
HL
Lee
William
W
Cheuk
Au
A
Yim
Ka Fai
KF
Chan
Wai Han Hilda
WH
Tong
Kwok Lung Matthew
KL
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009824:Ointments; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D009824:Ointments; D016712:Mupirocin