Inhibition of Staphylococci by vancomycin absorbed on triidodecylmethyl ammonium chloride-coated intravenous catheter

Catheter-related infections are a serious problem in hospitalized patients. Triidodecylmethyl ammonium chloride (TDMAC)-treated catheters were absorbed with the antibiotic vancomycin and evaluated for bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis over time. Bactericidal activity occurred in a biphasic pattern with peak activity from 0-72 h and activity detectable for up to 6 days. Incubation of the TDMAC-coated catheters in serum did not reduce the bactericidal activity of vancomycin bound to the catheter for Staphylococci. These results document that TDMAC-coated catheters could be used to absorb vancomycin thereby expanding the range of antibiotics available for binding to surfactant-treated catheters. The use of vancomycin would be helpful in preventing catheter infections by highly antibiotic-resistant organisms such as the Staphylococci, especially in sites such as the brain where effective concentration of other parenterally administered antibiotics is difficult to attain.