Clinical effectiveness and risk of emerging resistance associated with prolonged use of antibiotic-impregnated catheters: More than 0.5 million catheter days and 7 years of clinical experience*

Abstract

Catheters coated with minocycline and rifampin significantly decreased the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the medical intensive care unit in a manner that was independent and complementary to the infection control precautions. Although this study strongly suggests an association between catheters coated with minocycline and rifampin use and a decrease in central line-associated bloodstream infection, because of multiple other concurrent interventions, the results should be interpreted cautiously until a prospective study is conducted. Furthermore, long-term use of these devices is not associated with increased resistance of staphylococcal isolates to tetracycline and rifampin in the intensive care unit or throughout the hospital.