Efficacy of vancomycin/tri-iododecyclemethyl ammonium chloride-coated ventriculostomy catheters in reducing infection - Comments

OBJECTIVE: The biotoxicity of tri-iododecyclemethyl ammonium chloride (TDMAC)-coated catheters in the brain was tested, as was the efficacy of the vancomycin-bonded, TDMAC-coated catheters to inhibit staphylococcal growth in vitro and to delay the onset of clinical manifestations of catheter-related staphylococcal ventriculitis in a rabbit experimental model. METHODS: The brain toxicity of the TDMAC-coated catheters was tested in New Zealand White rabbits. The efficacy of the vancomycin-bonded, TDMAC-coated catheters in the inhibition of staphylococcal growth was tested in agar seeded with Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains. Sections of vancomycin-bonded, TDMAC-coated catheters were placed in saline solution for testing of drug release over time. Stereotactic placement of ventriculostomy catheters was performed in two groups of New Zealand White rabbits. In the experimental group, vancomycin-bonded, TDMAC-coated catheters were used, In the control group, TDMAC-coated catheters were used. Staphylococcal colonies were inoculated at the exit site of the catheters. Culture of the catheter tips was performed at the time of death of the animals. RESULTS: No toxic reactions were seen at the implantation sites or in surrounding brain. Significant inhibition of growth of both S. aureus and S. epidermidis was noted with the vancomycin-bonded catheters (P = 0.01). Vancomycin continued to be released from catheters for the full 6 days of the study. The median interval to development of clinical manifestations of ventriculitis among the experimental group of rabbits was 53 days; among the control group, the interval was 27 days (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Vancomycin-bonded, TDMAC-coated ventriculostomy catheters bind and release the drug at levels exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentration for S. aureus and S. epidermidis for at least 6 days and can significantly delay the onset of infectious ventriculitis in a rabbit model.