Lock Therapy Research Articles

Development and implementation of an antimicrobial lock therapy guideline in a pediatric hospital.

The development and implementation of an antimicrobial lock therapy guideline at a large pediatric hospital are described. Central venous access devices (CVADs) are essential in the medical management of patients requiring long-term total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, or hemodialysis. However, the use of a CVAD carries a significant risk of the development of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Antimicrobial lock therapy is indicated for patients with CLABSIs who have no signs of exit site or tunnel infection and for whom catheter salvage is a goal. An antimicrobial lock therapy guideline was developed and implemented at a large pediatric hospital by an interprofessional team consisting of providers specializing in CVAD care. Development and implementation of the guideline included a needs assessment, a literature review, determination of patient selection criteria, addition of compounding formulations, development of administration techniques, and education. In all 10 instances of lock therapy in the 18 months after guideline implementation, the criteria for use were met; in 60% of those instances, patients received care from an infectious diseases physician. Each of the available lock solutions was used at least once during the 18-month period. Overall, implementation of a guideline on administration of antimicrobial lock therapy was successful. Nine patients received antimicrobial lock therapy in the 18 months after policy implementation; although 2 had their line removed (1 due to repeated line infections), neither required line replacement.

Protocolo de tratamiento de la bacteriemia asociada a catéter vascular central de larga duración

IntroductionLong-term central vascular catheter-related bacteraemia (LTCVCB) is the most common cause of early catheter withdrawal, resulting in high morbidity, mortality and increased consumption of healthcare costs. TreatmentTreatment depends on the clinical characteristics and the pathogens responsible for the infection, ranging from removal of the infected catheter to conservative treatment with combined systemic antibiotic and antibiotic lock therapy.

High-Dose Daptomycin Is Effective as an Antibiotic Lock Therapy in a Rabbit Model of Staphylococcus epidermidis Catheter-Related Infection.

Long-term catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) involving coagulase-negative staphylococci are associated with poor patient outcomes, increased hospitalization, and high treatment costs. The use of vancomycin lock therapy has been an important step forward in treatment of these biofilms, although failures occur in 20% of patients. In this study, we report that a high dose of daptomycin lock therapy may offer a therapeutic advantage for these CRBSIs in just 24 h of treatment.

What Could Be the Role of Antifungal Lock-Solutions? From Bench to Bedside.

Candidemia related to the presence of a biofilm are often reported in patients with vascular catheters. Once they are mature, biofilms are persistent infectious reservoirs, and the yeasts dispersed from biofilms can cause infections. Sessile yeasts typically display increased levels of resistance to most antimicrobial agents and systemic treatments usually fail to eradicate previously formed fungal biofilms. In a curative strategy, antifungal lock therapy may help to sterilize catheters, with very high concentrations of antifungal agents, which are not compatible with systemic use. This strategy has been studied by several authors in in vitro and in vivo studies, and more rarely, in clinical settings for adult and paediatric patients. Our study aims to assess the efficacy of the antifungal solutions used for lock therapy and demonstrated by the different teams.

Diagnosis and treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infection: Clinical guidelines of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and (SEIMC) and the Spanish Society of Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC)

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) constitute an important cause of hospital-acquired infection associated with morbidity, mortality, and cost. The aim of these guidelines is to provide updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CRBSI in adults. Prevention of CRBSI is excluded. Experts in the field were designated by the two participating Societies (the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and [SEIMC] and the Spanish Society of Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units [SEMICYUC]). Short-term peripheral venous catheters, non-tunneled and long-term central venous catheters, tunneled catheters and hemodialysis catheters are covered by these guidelines. The panel identified 39 key topics that were formulated in accordance with the PICO format. The strength of the recommendations and quality of the evidence were graded in accordance with ESCMID guidelines. Recommendations are made for the diagnosis of CRBSI with and without catheter removal and of tunnel infection. The document establishes the clinical situations in which a conservative diagnosis of CRBSI (diagnosis without catheter removal) is feasible. Recommendations are also made regarding empirical therapy, pathogen-specific treatment (coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Gram-negative bacilli, and Candida spp.), antibiotic lock therapy, diagnosis and management of suppurative thrombophlebitis and local complications.

Diagnosis and treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infection: Clinical guidelines of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and (SEIMC) and the Spanish Society of Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC)

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) constitute an important cause of hospital-acquired infection associated with morbidity, mortality, and cost. The aim of these guidelines is to provide updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CRBSI in adults. Prevention of CRBSI is excluded. Experts in the field were designated by the two participating Societies (the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and [SEIMC] and the Spanish Society of Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units [SEMICYUC]). Short-term peripheral venous catheters, non-tunneled and long-term central venous catheters, tunneled catheters and hemodialysis catheters are covered by these guidelines. The panel identified 39 key topics that were formulated in accordance with the PICO format. The strength of the recommendations and quality of the evidence were graded in accordance with ESCMID guidelines. Recommendations are made for the diagnosis of CRBSI with and without catheter removal and of tunnel infection. The document establishes the clinical situations in which a conservative diagnosis of CRBSI (diagnosis without catheter removal) is feasible. Recommendations are also made regarding empirical therapy, pathogen-specific treatment (coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Gram-negative bacilli, and Candida spp.), antibiotic lock therapy, diagnosis and management of suppurative thrombophlebitis and local complications.

In vitro assessment of the anti-biofilm activity of ethanol alone and in combination with enoxaparin 60 IU

IntroductionCatheter-related bloodstream infection (C-RBSI) can sometimes be managed without catheter removal by combining systemic therapy with catheter lock therapy. Most antiseptic lock solutions are made up of ethanol combined with an anticoagulant. However, data regarding the anti-biofilm activity of ethanol combined with enoxaparin are scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy of ethanol at different concentrations combined with enoxaparin 60IU as a lock solution for eradication of the biofilm of different microorganisms. MethodsUsing a static 96-well plate in vitro model, we tested 30%, 35%, and 40% ethanol alone and combined with 60IU of enoxaparin against 24-h-old biofilm from the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Time of exposure was assessed during a 2-h and 24-h regimen. We analysed the percentage reduction in metabolic activity using the XTT assay. We considered therapy to be successful when metabolic activity was reduced by >90%. ResultsIn the 2-h regimen, the therapy was successful against all microorganisms at 35% and 40% ethanol without enoxaparin (p<0.001). In the 24-h regimen, the therapy was successful against all microorganisms at all ethanol solutions without enoxaparin (p<0.001). When ethanol was combined with enoxaparin, the therapy was only successful in the 24-h regimen in biofilms of S. epidermidis, C. albicans and E. coli at all concentrations of ethanol assessed. ConclusionsOur in vitro model demonstrated that when ethanol is combined with enoxaparin in a lock solution, it negatively affects ethanol anti-biofilm activity after both short and long exposures.

Eradication of P. aeruginosa biofilm in endotracheal tubes based on lock therapy: results from an in vitro study

BackgroundDespite the several strategies available for the management of biofilm-associated ventilator-associated pneumonia, data regarding the efficacy of applying antibiotics to the subglottic space (SS) are scarce. We created an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) applied in the SS for eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm in endotracheal tubes (ETTs).MethodsWe applied 2 h of ALT to a P. aeruginosa biofilm in ETTs using a single dose (SD) and a 5-day therapy model (5D). We used sterile saline lock therapy (SLT) as the positive control. We compared colony count and the percentage of live cells between both models.ResultsThe median (IQR) cfu counts/ml and percentage of live cells in the SD-ALT and SD-SLT groups were, respectively, 3.12 × 105 (9.7 × 104-0) vs. 8.16 × 107 (7.0 × 107-0) (p = 0.05) and 53.2% (50.9%-57.2%) vs. 91.5% (87.3%-93.9%) (p < 0.001). The median (IQR) cfu counts/ml and percentage of live cells in the 5D-ALT and 5D-SLT groups were, respectively, 0 (0-0) vs. 3.2 × 107 (2.32 × 107-0) (p = 0.03) and 40.6% (36.6%-60.0%) vs. 90.3% (84.8%-93.9%) (p < 0.001).ConclusionWe demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the viability of P. aeruginosa biofilm after application of 5D-ALT in the SS. Future clinical studies to assess ALT in patients under mechanical ventilation are needed.

Hidden morbidity of ethanol lock therapy.

Long-term central venous catheters are essential in sustaining growth and development in patients with intestinal failure (IF). Several strategies have been developed to prevent and treat catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs), including ethanol lock therapy. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of ethanol lock therapy in our IF population. This is a retrospective review of IF patients treated with ethanol lock therapy at a single institution from 2006 to 2013. We evaluated the number of catheter days, rate of CRBSI per 1000 catheter days, rate of central venous catheter (CVC) thrombosis, rate of CVC breakage, total number of CVC replacements, total number of hospital admissions, and total number days in the hospital. We identified 19 patients who underwent ethanol lock therapy for CRBSI. There was no difference in CRBSI rate prior to (5.6 per 1000 catheter days) and after (7 per 1000 catheter days) initiation of ethanol lock therapy. The mean rate of thrombosis increased from 0 to 3 per 1000 catheter days with ethanol lock therapy (p < 0.05). In addition, the CVC breakage rate increased from 0 to 13.7 per 1000 catheter days with ethanol lock therapy (p < 0.001). Hospital admissions and catheter-related ER visits increased following the initiation of ethanol lock therapy. Contrary to other studies, there was no difference in CRBSI rate prior to and after initiation of ethanol lock therapy. Factors in the methodology of ethanol lock therapy may influence the effectiveness of infection prevention associated with ethanol lock therapy, as well as the rate of line breakage, line thrombosis, and the need for line replacement.

Ethanol Lock Treatment and Secondary Prophylaxis for Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Intervention Trial

BackgroundCentral line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) commonly affects children with cancer and hematological disorders, with significant attributable costs and morbidity. Treatment failure, comprising persistent infection, infection relapse or new infection, occurs in ~50% of cases. Adjunctive ethanol lock therapy (ELT) has been proposed to prevent failure, but has never been tested in a prospective controlled study.MethodsA prospective, dual-center, double-blind, block-randomized, placebo-controlled trial of ELT (70% ethanol in water) for CLABSI, given as treatment (2 hours per lumen per day) for 5 days, followed by secondary prophylaxis (2 hours per lumen up to 3 days per week) for 24 weeks, in children with oncologic or hematologic disorders (NCT01472965). Risk of treatment failure was compared between intervention and control groups according to proportional and cumulative incidence models, using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. The study was discontinued at a pre-specified futility analysis.ResultsOf 94 evaluable participants, 48 were randomized to ELT and 46 to placebo; groups were similar at baseline for all measured variables. Forty-one (43.6%) participants had treatment failure (11 early failure, 9 relapse, and 21 reinfection). There was no difference between patients receiving ELT or placebo for risk of treatment failure (43.8% vs. 43.5%; P = 0.9) or for cumulative incidence of treatment failure in intention to treat (Figure 1) and per-protocol analyses (Figure 2). Catheter occlusion was significantly more common in participants receiving ethanol (58.3% vs. 32.6%, P = 0.01) but other adverse events, including LFT elevations (14.6% vs. 26.1%) and infusion reactions (18.8% vs. 8.7%), were not significantly different between groups.ConclusionAlthough observational studies suggested ELT might be effective for treatment of CLABSI in pediatric oncology, we found no benefit in treatment outcome and an increase in adverse effects. These results may not apply to patients receiving dialysis or with fungal CLABSI as these were not well-represented. Routine use of ELT for CLABSI in children with oncologic or hematologic disorders is not recommended.DisclosuresAll authors: No reported disclosures.

Central line-associated bloodstream infection in childhood malignancy: Single-center experience.

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a common complication in children with malignancy, often leading to prolonged hospitalization, delay in chemotherapy or catheter removal. This retrospective epidemiological study reviewed 91 children with malignancy over a 5year period between 2011 and 2015 and analyzed potential risk factors for CLABSI. Symptoms, laboratory and microbiology characteristics, subsequent treatment and outcome were recorded and analyzed. All the collected data were processed through SPSS for statistical analysis. Among 40 episodes of CLABSI recorded in 30 patients, the rate of CLABSI was estimated as 2.62 episodes per 1,000days of central venous catheter (CVC) carriage. Most of the bacterial pathogens isolated in CLABSI episodes were Gram positive, including different strains of staphylococci, while Gram-negative bacteria were involved in 30% of episodes. Invasive mycosis was isolated in 7.5% of episodes, accounting for the highest catheter removal rate. Intensive chemotherapy and prolonged hospitalization proved to be independent risk factors for CVC infection. In children with neutropenia, the risk for CLABSI was also fourfold greater (P=0.001). Children with leukemia had a fivefold greater risk for CLABSI (P=0.005). Finally, although 36% of patients received antibiotic lock therapy, in 15% of these patients catheter replacement could not be avoided due to persistent serious infection. Younger age, neutropenia, hematologic malignancy and longer catheterization are important risk factors for CLABSI, but further research is required for the prevention of catheter-related infection in children with malignancy.

Preemptive Ethanol Lock Therapy in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients With Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infection: Impact on Length of Stay, Cost, and Catheter Salvage.

Background. Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) with systemic antimicrobial therapy is a promising therapy for catheter-related infection (CRI). The impact of ELT timing on treatment efficacy and costs is unknown. Procedures. A prospective study was conducted in the Hematology/Oncology Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Patients with suspected CRI were randomized to Preemptive ELT arm or Rescue ELT arm after positive culture. Results. Five cases in Preemptive arm and 9 in Rescue arm had a confirmed CRI. All cases cleared infection with line salvage with no adverse events due to ELT or recurrence within 14 days. Our data showed a trend toward 36% reduction in average hospital costs and 40% reduction in average length of stay in Preemptive arm over Rescue arm. Conclusion. Although a small study, our data on preemptive ELT with systemic antimicrobial therapy suggest a potentially important treatment strategy in reducing length of stay as well as hospital costs.

A prospective double blind randomized controlled study on the use of ethanol locks in HPN patients

Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) has been shown to reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in high-risk home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether ELT therapy for all patients newly started on HPN would reduce the incidence of CRBSI. This study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial that was carried out from July 2014 to April 2016. The study participants were patients newly started on HPN, and they were randomly assigned to either treatment with ELT or our current standard of care with saline heparin locks. The primary outcome was occurrence of CRBSI. Thirty eight patients that were newly started on HPN were randomized to either treatment with ELT (n=18) or to our current standard of care with heparin locks (n=20). Four patients in the ELT group and one patient in the control arm had a CRBSI (p=0.17). No significant adverse side effects were noted during the study. This study did not show improvement in the rate of CRBSI with ELT in all patients started on HPN. ELT therapy may be most helpful to reduce in CRBSI in high-risk HPN patients, but further studies with a randomized control trial design of high-risk patients are needed to further clarify this important issue in HPN patients. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov prior to patient enrollment (NCT02227329).

Tubes, Lines, and Stomas

The purpose of this study was to review the nomenclature, indications for placement, and anatomic location of medical support devices. Specifically, this review of enteric tubes, central venous lines, tracheostomy, and intestinal stomas includes novel treatment options for common complications. For example, a review of recent data suggests that central venous line salvage, in the setting of infection, is best managed with antibiotic lock therapy in addition to systemic antibiotics. This update of typical tubes, lines, and stomas is supported by a discussion of common complications and effective strategies for management.

Taurolidine/Citrate Lock Therapy for Primary Prevention of Catheter-Related Infections in Cancer Patients: Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Phase IV Trial (ATAPAC)

Background: Totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP)-related infections (RIs) remain a serious health problem in cancer patients receiving an intravenous (i.v.) therapy. Patients and Methods: The ATAPAC study was a prospective, randomized, monocentric, phase IV trial evaluating the efficacy of taurolidine lock solution versus standard saline solution for primary TIVAP-RI prevention in nonhematological cancer patients receiving i.v. chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the TIVAP-RI incidence rate. From December 2014 to September 2015, 163 patients were enrolled in the study (taurolidine: n = 86 vs. control: n = 77). Four patients in the control group (5%) had a Staphylococcus epidermidis TIVAP-RI, and 1 patient (1%) in the taurolidine group had a Staphylococcus aureus infection. The TIVAP-RI incidence rate was 0.4 and 0.1‰ catheter-days, respectively (p = 0.21). The infection-free TIVAP survival was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). TIVAP-RI required a total of 22 hospitalization days in the taurolidine group versus 106 days in the control arm with associated costs of EUR 4,849 and EUR 36,020, respectively. Taurolidine-related toxicity was transitory and classified as grade I. Conclusions: The ATAPAC trial did not show a significant risk-infection reduction by TauroLock™. A larger, prospective, randomized trial is needed to assess TauroLock efficacy for primary TIVAP-RI prevention in low-risk cancer patients.

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Experience in Long-Term Home Parenteral Nutrition Patients

Parenteral nutrition is administered through a central venous catheter(CVC). Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are appropriate for home parenteral nutrition (HPN). The objective of this study was to examine a group of HPN patients with a PICC in place for more than six months, and the complications associated with PICC removal. Medical records from one home infusion pharmacy were retrospectively reviewed for PICC characteristics and complications leading to removal. Nineteen adult HPN patients had 26 PICC placements. Total PICC days were 22,262 with a mean of 856 (265-2500) days. Seven PICCs were in place for 3 to greater than 5 years. The overall complication rate was 0.58/1000 CVC days. Catheter related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) was the main cause of PICC removal. There was no evidence of symptomatic thrombosis. Patients experienced no infusion related complications. The PICCs were 88% polyurethane, 65% double lumen, and 54% were 5 Fr. No patient received alcohol or antibiotic lock therapy, and 8 patients had successful alteplase administered at least one time. All patients needed caregiver assistance for site care and dressing changes, but were independent in HPN infusion and flushing. This group of patients demonstrated that PICCs are a viable option HPN administration. The PICC overall complication rate was very low, and the most frequent complication leading to removal was CRBSI. The infection rate of 0.36/1000 CVC days is considered very low in an HPN population. This is the only HPN infusion study to date reporting 7 PICCs lasting 3 or more years, with 2 lasting greater than 5 years without complications resulting in removal. Patients received their prescribed therapy reliably and without interruption with this device. Larger studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of maintaining a PICC for very long-term HPN administration.

Short-course daptomycin lock and systemic therapy for catheter-related bloodstream infections: a retrospective cohort study in cancer patients with surgically implanted devices

Purpose: Few in vivo studies have been reported describing efficacy and duration of antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) with daptomycin (DPT) for long-term catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). We retrospectively analysed the efficacy of short-course ALT with DPT in combination with systemic treatment (ST) for CoNS-associated CRBSI in our hospital.Methods: Patients admitted for CoNS-associated CRBSI and treated with DPT as ALT and ST were retrospectively analysed. Success was defined as preservation of the catheter device 30 days after ending treatment. Catheter removal within 30 days of discontinuing treatment, for either microbiological documentation of CRBSI relapse or re-occurrence of unexplained fever, was considered as failure.Results: Among 7610 patients admitted to the Departments of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pneumology in Cannes from January 2013 to November 2015, we identified 28 episodes of CoNS-associated CRBSI. Seven patients died of cancer during follow-up. Thus, 21 episodes were analysed among 20 patients (median age 67 years, 12 males, all treated for neoplasia and carrying a port-a-cath® device). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the main agent responsible for CRBSI. Median duration of systemic and ALT DPT was 3 days, in combination with rifampin for 4 days and then generally followed by a switch to oral drugs, most frequently cotrimoxazole or linezolid, to achieve 14 median days of treatment. Clinical success and failure rates were 76% and 24%, respectively.Conclusions: Short-course DPT as ALT, combined with 14 days of ST, allowed conservative management of CoNS-associated CRBSI in surgically implanted-catheters in three-fourth of cases.

Successful treatment with short-course Daptomycin lock and systemic therapy in two cases of catheter-related bloodstream infections due to uncommon pathogensing catheter-related bloodstream infections due to uncommon pathogens

Short-course Daptomycin lock and systemic therapy for treating catheter-related bloodstream infections due to uncommon pathogens. Treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRSBI) is one of current major challenges in management of long-term catheters. Daptomycin has proved its efficacy as lock therapy for treating CRSBI due to coagulase negative Staphylococci. Here we describe two cases of successful treatment with short course Daptomycin as lock and systemic therapy for CRSBI due to uncommon pathogens, thus bringing new insights about strategies for a conservative management of devices.

Catheter Lock with Minocycline, EDTA and Ethanol for Salvaging of Central Venous Catheters in the Setting of Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections

BackgroundLong-term central venous catheters are essential in delivering care for critically ill and cancer patients. These catheters could lead to central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Removal and reinsertion of a new catheter may not always be feasible due to unavailability of vascular access in the setting of thrombocytopenia. A pilot open label study conducted at our institution showed promising results when Minocycline, EDTA, Ethanol (M-EDTA-EtOH) lock was used to salvage the catheter.MethodsBetween October 2013 and August 2014, we prospectively enrolled 20 patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) or CLABSI in three of our sister institutions in three countries including Brazil, Lebanon, and Japan. These patients received (M-EDTA-EtOH) lock therapy and were compared with 24 historical control patients who were matched based on organisms, underlying diseases and neutropenia status. The control patients had their CVCs removed and a new CVC inserted.ResultsThe two groups had comparable clinical characteristics. In the lock therapy group 95% of the patients had microbiological eradication within 96 hours after starting lock therapy vs. 83% of the patients in the control group (P = 0.36). In the lock group, the CVC was salvaged and retained for a median of 21 days (range 7–51) from the onset of bacteremia whereas the CVC was removed after a median of 2 days in the control group (range 0–8 days. P < 0.0001).ConclusionOur study suggests that M- EDTA-EtOH lock therapy seems to be an effective intervention to salvage long-term CVCs in the setting of CLABSI/CRBSI in cancer and dialysis patients with limited vascular access.Disclosures I. Raad, Merck: Grant Investigator, Research grant; Allergan: Grant Investigator, Research grant; Infective Technologies, LLC: Co-Inventor of the Nitroglycerin-Citrate-Ethanol atheter lock solution technology which is owned by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC) and has been licensed by Novel Anti-Infective Technologies, LLC in which Dr. Raad is a s and Shareholder, Licensing agreement or royalty.

Minocycline Inhibits &lt;i&gt;Candida albicans&lt;/i&gt; Budded-to-Hyphal-Form Transition and Biofilm Formation

Candida albicans frequently causes bloodstream infections; its budded-to-hyphalform transition (BHT) and biofilm formation are major contributors to virulence. During an analysis of antibacterial compounds that inhibit C. albicans BHT, we found that the tetracycline derivative minocycline inhibited BHT and subsequent biofilm formation. Minocycline decreased expression of hypha-specific genes HWP1 and ECE1, and adhesion factor gene ALS3 of C. albicans. In addition, minocycline decreased cell surface hydrophobicity and the extracellular β-glucan level in biofilms. Minocycline has been widely used for catheter antibiotic lock therapy to prevent bacterial infection; this compound may also be prophylactically effective against Candida infection.