Taurolidina para prevenir infecciones asociadas a catéter venoso central en niños con insuficiencia intestinal: experiencia preliminar en un hospital terciario chileno

Abstract

Taurolidine is a molecule with anti-endotoxic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that inhibits bacterial adhesion, allowing for its use as lock therapy for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in long-term central venous catheters (CVC). To report a preliminary experience, the first one in Chile, using lock therapy with taurolidine for the prevention of CRBSI and to report its efficacy. A taurolidine-based solution was instilled in the CVC of three children with intestinal insufficiency dependent on parenteral nutrition, attended in a Chilean tertiary hospital, and the rate of CRBSI before and after its use was compared in retrospect. In the two patients who started lock therapy immediately after the installation of their CVC, the rate of CRBSI was brought to zero, whereas in the third patient, who had a 9 months-old CVC with a recurrent CRBSI history, an intercurrent CRBSI forced discontinuation of the prophylaxis. Lock therapy with a taurolidine-based solution prevented CRBSIs when it was begun immediately after installing the CVC, in contrast with an old CVC with a history of recurrent CRBSIs.