title: Treatment of long-term catheter-related bloodstream infections with a taurolidine block: a single cancer center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are a common problem in cancer patients with long-term catheters. The effectiveness of taurolidine, a new antimicrobial solution, in the management of CRBSIs is still unknown. A retrospective analysis of patients with proven CRBSIs treated with a taurolidine block in combination with systemic antibiotic treatment was performed to define its role in the management of CRBSIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four episodes of CRBSIs in 23 cancer patients with permanent use of the long-term catheter were treated with a taurolidine block for 3 consecutive days in combination with systemic antibiotic treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment was successful in 16 of 24 events (67%). Explantation was performed in 8 cases (33%): in 3 patients due to a second positive blood culture, and in 1 patient due to recurrent fever after the conservative treatment. In 4 patients, the conservative approach was prematurely stopped due to persisting fever.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taurolidine-based treatment may be a promising, noninvasive therapeutical approach in the management of long-term catheter-related bloodstream infections in cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. GeorgMartin.Haag@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Georg-Martin
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Haag
authors.forename: Anne-Katrin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jäger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013829:Thiadiazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013829:Thiadiazines; D013654:Taurine; C012566:taurolidine