Vancomycin Therapy of Experimental Peritoneal Catheter-Associated Infection ( Staphylococcus Epidermidis ) in a Mouse Model

Abstract

Catheter-related sepsis, principally with 5. epldermldls, remains a main complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A possible reason for the antibiotic resistance often displayed by these Infections Is the presence of bacteria growing in a protective biofilm on the catheter surface. We developed a reproducible stable model of experimental peritoneal catheter-assoclated infection with 5. epldermldls In the mouse and used this model to examine the therapeutic efficacy of vancomycin. The response to vancomycin treatment given dally (15 mg/kg body weight) for periods from 1–14 days, relating the proportion of successful outcome (sterilization of Implant Infection) over time, was typical of an S-shaped biological response curve. These results extend our previous observations In vltro of the activity of vancomycin against 5. epldermldls biofilm preparations and serve as a rational basis for the experimental evaluation of synergy and antagonism In the treatment of implant-associated Infection.