Minocycline/Rifampin Catheters Shown To Reduce Microbial Resistance

Link: Minocycline/Rifampin Catheters Shown To Reduce Microbial Resistance.

In a study that confirms the critical role antibiotic-impregnated catheters can play to combat the significant worldwide death toll from catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), a researcher from a world-renowned medical center has presented clinical evidence that these devices, in fact, reduce the risk of bacteremia and also the likelihood that bacteria could become resistant to the antibiotics used to prevent their colonization. Previously, some medical researchers had expressed concern that the use of these devices could promote antimicrobial resistance. On April 8, 2008 at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America's (SHEA) 18th Annual Scientific Conference, Issam I. Raad, M.D., an infectious disease physician at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, presented data demonstrating that after seven years of extensive use of a central venous catheter impregnated with minocycline and rifampin the rate of microbial resistance to minocycline and rifampin actually decreased after use of these catheters.