New research on antibiotic impregnated catheters

Previously, some researchers expressed concern that the use of these devices could promote antimicrobial resistance. However, Dr Issam Raad, an infectious disease expert at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, presented data that disputes this. The research demonstrated 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.

Dr Raad noted that after more than 500,000 catheter-days using the antibiotic-impregnated catheter, the rate of resistance to tetracylines (the “family” of antibiotics, which minocycline belongs to) and rifampin dramatically decreased. The data demonstrated that the percentage of MRSA resistance to tetracycline decreased from 12% to 7% and MRSA resistance to rifampin decreased from 12% to 4% (P < 0.01).

Dr Raad said: “The two drugs used, minocycline and rifampin, have different modes of action. Therefore, their pairing does not lead to resistance.”

Dr Raad is the co-inventor of the synergistic pairing of the antibiotics minocycline and rifampin that are impregnated within the catheter material of the Cook Spectrum catheter. His institution receives a royalty payment based upon Cook’s licence to use this patented technology.