Taurolidine lock: The key to prevention of recurrent catheter-related bloodstream infections

The literature shows that repeated courses of antibiotics and catheter removals in a subset of patients suffering from multiple catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), are unlikely to prevent recurrence. In acceding to preventative strategies, we report our application of the antimicrobial chemotherapeutic Taurolidine used as a daily flush solution in seven home TPN patients suffering from multiple episodes. A pretreatment infection rate of 10.8 infections per 1000 catheter days decreased to 0.8 after treatment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.