Impact of locking solutions on conditioning biofilm formation in tunnelled haemodialysis catheters and inflammatory response activation.

INTRODUCTION: The surface of tunnelled cuffed catheters provides an optimal environment for the development of biofilms, which have recently been described as conditioning films because of the presence of adherent biological materials. These biofilms are associated with infection and thrombosis and potentially increase patients' inflammatory response. These complications could be reduced by the use of locking solutions. OBJECTIVE: To analyse biofilm formation, using confocal and electron microscopy, in tunnelled cuffed catheters locked with three different solutions and to determine the relationship between these solutions and inflammatory response. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study included 35 haemodialysis patients with tunnelled cuffed catheter removal for non-infection-related reasons. The participants were divided into three groups according to the lock solution used: (1) heparin 1: 5000 IU; (2) citrate 4%; and (3) taurolidine 1.35%, citrate 4% and heparin 500 IU (taurolock); in the latter group, 25,000 IU taurolidine-urokinase was used in the last weekly session. All tunnelled cuffed catheters were cultured, and the inner surface was evaluated with confocal and electron microscopy. The inflammatory profile of included patients was determined at tunnelled cuffed catheter removal. RESULTS: There were no differences in clinical or demographic variables between the three subgroups. Biofilm thickness was lower in the taurolidine group than in the citrate 4% and heparin groups (28.85 ± 6.86 vs 49.99 ± 16.56 vs 56.2 ± 15.67 µm, respectively; p < 0.001), as was biofilm volume (1.01 ±1.18 vs 3.7 ± 2.15 vs 5.55 ±2.44, µm3, respectively; p < 0.001). The mean interleukin-6 value was 39%, which was 50% lower than in the citrate and heparin groups, but without significance differences. CONCLUSION: Our results show that biofilms were found in all tunnelled cuffed catheters, but the thickness and volume were significantly lower in tunnelled cuffed catheters locked with taurolidine solution. Therefore, the type of locking solution used in tunnelled cuffed catheters should maintain tunnelled cuffed catheter sterility and prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections. No significant difference was observed in the inflammatory profile according to the type of locking solution.

RandomiSed clinical trial assessing Use of an anti-inflammatoRy aGent in attenUating peri-operatiVe inflAmmatioN in non-meTastatic colon cancer - the S.U.R.G.U.V.A.N.T. trial.

BACKGROUND: Peri-operative inflammation has been extensively highlighted in cancer patients as detrimental. Treatment strategies to improve survival for cancer patients through targeting peri-operative inflammation have yet to be devised. METHODS: We conducted a multi-centre, randomised controlled clinical trial using Taurolidine in non-metastatic colon cancer patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Taurolidine or a placebo. The primary endpoint for the study was the mean difference in day 1 IL-6 levels. Secondary clinical endpoints included rates of post-operative infections and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients were screened for trial inclusion. Sixty patients were randomised. Twenty-eight patients were randomised to placebo and 32 patients to Taurolidine. IL-6 levels were equivalent on day 1 post-operatively in both groups. However, IL-6 levels were significantly attenuated over the 7 day study period in the Taurolidine group compared to placebo (p = 0.04). In addition, IL-6 levels were significantly lower at day 7 in the Taurolidine group (p = 0.04). There were 2 recurrences in the placebo group at 2 years and 1 in the Taurolidine group. The median time to recurrence was 19 months in the Placebo group and 38 months in the Taurolidine group (p = 0.27). Surgical site infection was reduced in the Taurolidine treated group (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Peri-operative use of Taurolidine significantly attenuated circulating IL-6 levels in the initial 7 day post-operative period in a safe manner. Future studies are required to establish the impact of IL-6 attenuation on survival outcomes in colon cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with EudraCT (year = 2008, registration number = 005570-12 ) and ISRCTN (year = 2008, registration number = 77,829,558 ).

Clinical and economic impact of the taurolidine lock on home parenteral nutrition.

INTRODUCTION: catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are one of the most serious concerns in patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) which involve high morbidity and cost for the healthcare system. In the last years, taurolidine lock has proven to be beneficial in the prevention of CRBSI; however, the evidence of its efficiency is limited. OBJECTIVE: to determine if taurolidine lock is a cost-effective intervention in patients on HPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: retrospective study in patients on HPN with taurolidine lock. We compared the CRBSI rate and cost of its complications before and during taurolidine lock. RESULTS: thirteen patients, six (46%) males and seven (54%) females, with a mean age of 61.08 (SD = 14.18) years received taurolidine lock. The total days of catheterization pre and per-taurolidine were 12,186 and 5,293, respectively. The underlying disease was benign in five patients (38.5%) and malignant in eight (61.5%). The CRBSI rate pre vs per-taurolidine was 3.12 vs 0.76 episodes per 1,000 catheter days (p = 0.0058). When the indication was a high CRBSI rate, this was 9.72 vs 0.39 (p < 0.001) in pre and per-taurolidine period respectively. No differences have been observed in the occlusion rates. None of the patients reported any adverse effects. The total cost of CRBSI in the pre-taurolidine period was 151,264.14 euros vs 24,331.19 euros in the per-taurolidine period. CONCLUSIONS: our study shows that taurolidine lock is a cost-effective intervention in patients on HPN with high risk of CRBSI.

Administration of taurolidine-citrate lock solution for prevention of central venous catheter infection in adult neutropenic haematological patients: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (TAURCAT).

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is one of the most frequent complications in patients with cancer who have central venous catheters (CVCs) implanted and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Taurolidine is a non-antibiotic agent with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which has been used as a lock solution to prevent CRBSI in some settings. However, little is known about its usefulness in high-risk adult neutropenic patients with cancer. This prospective randomised clinical trial aims to test the hypothesis that taurolidine-citrate lock solution is more effective than placebo for preventing catheter infection in neutropenic haematological patients. METHODS: This study is a prospective, multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, parallel, superiority, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with haematological cancer who are expected to develop prolonged neutropenia (> 7 days) and who have a non-tunnelled CVC implanted will be randomised to receive prophylactic taurolidine-citrate-heparin solution using a lock technique (study group) or heparin alone (placebo group). The primary endpoint will be bacterial colonisation of the CVC hubs. The secondary endpoints will be the incidence of CRBSI, CVC removal, adverse events, and 30-day case-fatality rate. DISCUSSION: The lock technique is a preventive strategy that inhibits bacterial colonisation in the catheter hubs, which is the initial step of endoluminal catheter colonisation and the development of infection. Taurolidine is a nontoxic agent that does not develop antibiotic resistance because it acts as an antiseptic rather than an antibiotic. Taurolidine has shown controversial results in the few trials conducted in cancer patients. These studies have important limitations due to the lack of data on adult and/or high-risk neutropenic patients, the type of catheters studied (tunnelled or ports), and the lack of information regarding the intervention (e.g. dwelling of the solution, time, and periodicity of the lock technique). If our hypothesis is proven, the study could provide important solid evidence on the potential usefulness of this preventive procedure in a population at high risk of CRBSI, in whom this complication may significantly impair patient outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN47102251 . Registered on 9 September 2015.

Central venous catheters and catheter locks in children with cancer: a prospective randomized trial of taurolidine versus heparin.

BACKGROUND: To determine if the catheter lock taurolidine can reduce the number of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in pediatric cancer patients with tunneled central venous catheters (CVC). PROCEDURE: During a study period of 34 months, 129 newly placed tunneled CVCs in 112 patients were randomly assigned to standard lock with heparin solution or experimental lock with a taurolidine solution (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00735813). RESULTS: Sixty-five CVCs were included in the standard group and 64 CVCs in the experimental group. The groups were comparable regarding patients' characteristics. A total number of 72 bloodstream infections of which 33 were CRBSIs were observed during 39,127 CVC-days. A lower rate of CRBSI (0.4 per 1,000 CVC-days) was observed in the experimental arm compared with the standard arm (1.4 per 1,000 CVC-days, incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.61; P = 0.001). A lower rate of total bloodstream infections (1.2 per 1,000 CVC-days) was also observed in the experimental arm compared with the standard arm (2.5 per 1,000 CVC-days, IRR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.29-0.82; P = 0.004). Median interval from catheter insertion until first CRBSI was significantly lower in the standard group (156 days, range 12-602) compared with the experimental group (300 days, range 12-1,176; P = 0.02). Premature removal of the CVC due to infection and overall CVC survival were similar in the two study groups. CONCLUSION: Locking of long-term tunneled CVC with taurolidine significantly reduces catheter-related bloodstream infections in children with cancer.

Pharmacokinetic study and evaluation of the safety of taurolidine for dogs with osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma in dogs and humans share many similarities and the dog has been described as an excellent model to study this disease. The median survival in dogs has not improved in the last 25 years. Taurolidine has been shown to be cytotoxic to canine and human osteosarcoma in vitro. The goals of this study were to determine the pharmacokinetics and safety of taurolidine in healthy dogs and the safety of taurolidine in combination with doxorubicin or carboplatin in dogs with osteosarcoma. METHODS: Two percent taurolidine was infused into six healthy dogs (150 mg/kg) over a period of two hours and blood samples were taken periodically. One dog received taurolidine with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as its carrier and later received PVP-free taurolidine as did all other dogs in this study. Serum taurolidine concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) online coupled to ESI-MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Subsequently, the same dose of taurolidine was infused to seven dogs with osteosarcoma also treated with doxorubicin or carboplatin. RESULTS: Taurolidine infusion was safe in 6 healthy dogs and there were no significant side effects. Maximum taurolidine serum concentrations ranged between 229 to 646 µM. The dog that received taurolidine with PVP had an immediate allergic reaction but recovered fully after the infusion was stopped. Three additional dogs with osteosarcoma received doxorubicin and taurolidine without PVP. Toxicities included dilated cardiomyopathy, protein-losing nephropathy, renal insufficiency and vasculopathy at the injection site. One dog was switched to carboplatin instead of doxorubicin and an additional 4 dogs with osteosarcoma received taurolidine-carboplatin combination. One incidence of ototoxicity occurred with the taurolidine- carboplatin combination. Bone marrow and gastro-intestinal toxicity did not appear increased with taurolidine over doxorubicin or carboplatin alone. CONCLUSIONS: Taurolidine did not substantially exacerbate bone marrow or gastro-intestinal toxicity however, it is possible that taurolidine increased other toxicities of doxorubicin and carboplatin. Administering taurolidine in combination with 30 mg/m2 doxorubicin in dogs is not recommended but taurolidine in combination with carboplatin (300 mg/m2) appears safe.

Switchable skin window induced by optical clearing method for dermal blood flow imaging.

Optical imaging techniques have shown tremendous potential for assessing cutaneous microcirculation, but the imaging depth and contrast is limited by the strong scattering of skin. Current skin windows have to be fulfilled by surgical operation and suffer from some side effects. In this study, a switchable skin window was developed by topical application of an optical clearing agent (OCA) and saline on rat skin in vivo. The validity of the skin window was evaluated by the laser speckle contrast imaging technique, and the safety of OCA to the body was tested through histologic examinations. The results indicated that administration of OCA or saline on rat skin in vivo can open or close the window of skin repeatedly for three days. With the repair effect of hyaluronic acid and Vaseline, it is able to repeatedly visualize the dermal blood vessels and flow distribution. Long-term observation shows that there is no abnormal reflection in micro-structure, body weight, organ coefficients, histopathologic lesions, or toxic reactions compared with a control group. This switchable window will provide an effective tool not only for cutaneous microcirculation with laser speckle contrast imaging, but also for diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular diseases, including tumor research with various optical imaging techniques.

Innate immune responses to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in immunocompromised pediatric patients and the effect of taurolidine.

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging pathogen causing invasive infections in immunocompromised pediatric patients, including neonates and pediatric oncology patients. Information on innate immune responses to S. maltophilia and its potential modulation are scarce. METHODS: We established an in vitro S. maltophilia whole blood sepsis model and studied the proinflammatory cytokine production of CD14-positive cells by flow cytometry. We compared the cytokine expression of term newborns (n = 13) and healthy adults (n = 10) and investigated in vitro responses of pediatric oncology patients after recovery from neutropenia (n = 10) with healthy adults (n = 10). We further evaluated the immunomodulatory role of the amino-acid derivative taurolidine in our in vitro sepsis model. RESULTS: Proinflammatory cytokine responses to S. maltophilia were largely diminished in the neonatal population. No remarkable differences were noted for cytokine responses between pediatric oncology patients and healthy controls. Taurolidine inhibited immunoglobulin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in a dose dependent-fashion in both, pediatric oncology patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Deficient immune responses to S. maltophilia require optimized prevention strategies against infection in immunocompromised patients, including neonates. Taurolidine may be an effective immunomodulatory agent in a clinical setting.

The antineoplastic antibiotic taurolidine promotes lung and liver metastasis in two syngeneic osteosarcoma mouse models and exhibits severe liver toxicity.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary bone tumor. Despite multiagent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, patients with metastatic disease have a poor prognosis. Moreover, currently used chemotherapeutics have severe toxic side effects. Thus, novel agents with improved antimetastatic activity and reduced toxicity are needed. Taurolidine, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, has recently been shown to have antineoplastic properties against a variety of tumors and low systemic toxicity. Consequently, we investigated in our study the antineoplastic potential of taurolidine against OS in two different mouse models. Although both OS cell lines, K7M2 and LM8, were sensitive for the compound in vitro, intraperitoneal application of taurolidine failed to inhibit primary tumor growth. Moreover, it enhanced the metastatic load in both models 1.7- to 20-fold and caused severe liver deformations and up to 40% mortality. Thus, systemic toxicity was further investigated in tumor-free mice histologically, by electron microscopy and by measurements of representative liver enzymes. Taurolidine dose-dependent fibrous thickening of the liver capsule and adhesions and atrophies of the liver lobes were comparable in healthy and tumor-bearing mice. Liver toxicity was further indicated by up to eightfold elevated levels of the liver enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and GLDH in the circulation. Ultrastructural analysis of affected liver tissue showed swollen mitochondria with cristolysis and numerous lipid vacuoles in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. The findings of our study question the applicability of taurolidine for OS treatment and may suggest the need for caution regarding the widespread clinical use of taurolidine as an antineoplastic agent.

Unsuccessful application of taurolidine in the treatment of fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis.

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is a serious complication for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, determining hospitalization, technique failure, catheter loss and death. In the 2005 update, treatment recommendations for FP from the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) advocate catheter removal immediately after fungi are identified by microscopy or culture. The availability of more effective medical treatments could therefore be of great importance. The aim of this report is to describe a case of a 43-year-old, diabetic, HIV positive PD patient with fluconazole resistant Candida peritonitis, who was treated with an i.p. taurolidine solution. Taurolidine is a non-antibiotic antimicrobial, with broad bactericidal and fungicidal properties. It has been used during surgery for lavage of the peritoneum in cases of peritonitis. Its mechanism of action is related to direct toxic action on micro-organisms, through a chemical reaction between active taurolidine derivatives and structures on the cell wall. Treatment failed because the patient had severe burning pain during i.p. administration of the drug, limiting its dose. PD catheter removal allowed complete recovery. It remains undetermined if, with different doses and methodology, taurolidine could be more effective in treating bacterial and/or fungal peritonitis. Currently, catheter removal remains the most effective therapy of fungal peritonitis.

Comparação entre o sumatriptano, a trimebutina, o meloxicam e a associação dos três fármacos no tratamento agudo de enxaqueca / Comparison among sumatriptane, trimebutine, meloxicam and the association of those drugs in the acute treatment of migraine

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A crise aguda de migrânea geralmente leva a grande incapacidade econômica e social para aqueles que sofrem deste transtorno. A fisiopatologia é complexa e envolve múltiplos mecanismos centrais e periféricos. O tratamento agudo tem como objetivo aliviar a dor e os fenômenos associados como a náusea e fotofobia, sem causar efeitos adversos importantes. Apesar do desenvolvimento de fármacos específicos como os triptanos, para o tratamento agudo, a sua eficácia ainda é baixa. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a eficácia e a tolerância da trimebutina, meloxicam, sumatriptano e a associação dos três fármacos no tratamento das crises agudas de migrânea de moderada a forte intensidade.MÉTODO: Após aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética das Instituições foram incluídos neste estudo prospectivo, duplamente encoberto e aleatório, 50 pacientes, sendo 43 mulheres e 7 homens, com idade entre 18 e 65 anos, portadores de migrânea com ou sem aura, que utilizavam medicação profilática, exceto anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINES). Foram tratadas quatro crises de migrânea de moderada a forte intensidade de cada paciente, com 200 mg de trimebutina, 50 mg de sumatriptano, 15 mg de meloxicam ou com a associação de 200 mg de trimebutina, 50 mg de sumatriptano e 15 mg de meloxicam. Os pacientes foram aleatorizados em 4 grupos de acordo com a ordem de chegada, de modo que o primeiro paciente incluído recebeu trimebutina para a primeira crise, sumatriptano para a segunda crise, meloxicam para a terceira crise e a associação entre os 3 fármacos para a quarta crise. O segundo paciente incluído recebeu sumatriptano para a primeira crise, meloxicam para a segunda superior a cada um desses fármacos isolados para controlar a dor, as náuseas e a fotofobia nas crises agudas de migrânea de moderada a forte intensidade. Além disso, a combinação dos fármacos apresentou maior incidência de efeitos adversos.crise, a associação para a terceira crise e a trimebutina para a quarta crise, e assim sucessivamente. A intensidade da crise de migrânea foi avaliada a partir da ingestão da cápsula com escala categorizada verbal na qual: 0 - sem dor, 1 - cefaleia leve, 2 - cefaleia moderada e 3 - cefaleia intensa. Cada paciente foi orientado para preencher o relatório de crise para cada crise tratada, na qual anotava a intensidade da cefaleia, a presença de náusea, fotofobia e dos efeitos adversos, e o uso da medicação de resgate, 100 mg de indometacina por via retal. RESULTADOS: Completaram o estudo 42 pacientes. Em uma hora 9,5% dos pacientes que utilizaram a associação dos fármacos estavam livres da dor, comparados com 14,2% com a trimebutina e sumatriptano e 2,4% com o meloxicam (p = 0,479). Em duas horas 21,4% dos pacientes que usaram a associação estavam livres da dor, comparados com 11,9% com a trimebutina, 26,1% com sumatriptano e 23,8% com o meloxicam (p = 0,555). Tanto a associação trimebutina, sumatriptano e meloxicam como os fármacos trimebutina, sumatriptano e meloxicam isolados foram efetivos para controlar a náusea e fotofobia após 1 e 2h para náusea (p = 0,157 e 0,587) e fotofobia (p = 0,671 e 0,929, embora sem diferença estatisticamente significativa entre eles. Dez pacientes em uso da associação dos fármacos, 6 em uso da trimebutina, 5 em uso do sumatriptano e 5 em uso do meloxicam relataram efeitos colaterais. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que a associação sumatriptano, meloxicam e trimebutina não foi superior a cada um desses fármacos isolados para controlar a dor, as náuseas e a fotofobia nas crises agudas de migrânea de moderada a forte intensidade. Além disso, a combinação dos fármacos apresentou maior incidência de efeitos adversos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute migraine crisis often leads to major economic and social disability for those suffering from such syndrome. Pathophysiology is complex involving several central and peripheral mechanisms. The acute treatment aims at evaluating pain and associated phenomena, such as nausea and photophobia, without causing major adverse effects. Notwithstanding the development of specific drugs for the acute treatment, such as triptanes, their efficacy is still low. This study aimed at comparing efficacy and tolerance of trimebutine, meloxicam, sumatriptane and the association of such drugs to treat moderate to severe acute migraine crises.METHOD: After the Institutions? Ethics Committee approval, participated in this prospective, double-blind and randomized study 50 patients, being 43 females and 7 males, aged between 18 and 65 years, with migraine with or without aura, under prophylactic medication, except non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Patients were treated for 4 moderate to severe migraine crises with 200 mg trimebutine, 50 mg sumatriptane, 15 mg meloxicam, or with the association of 200 mg trimebutine, 50 mg sumatriptane and 15 mg meloxicam. Patients were randomized in 4 groups according to their arrival, so that the first patient included received trimebutine for the first crisis, sumatriptane for the second crisis, meloxicam for the third crisis and the association of the three drugs for the fourth crisis. The second patient included received sumatriptane for the first crisis, meloxicam for the second crisis, the association for the third crisis and trimebutine for the fourth crisis, and so on and so forth. Migraine crisis intensity was evaluated as from the ingestion of the first tablet with verbal categorized scale where: 0 = no pain, 1 = mild headache, 2 = moderate headache, 3 = severe headache. All patients were oriented to fill a crisis report for each treated crisis, where they would record headache intensity, presence of nausea, photophobia and adverse effects and the use of rescue medication, 100 mg of rectal indometacin.RESULTS: Forty-two patients completed the study. In one hour 9.5% of patients using the association of drugs were free of pain, as compared to 14.2% with trimebutine and sumatriptane and 2.4% with meloxicam (p = 0.479). In two hours 21.4% of patients using the association were free of pain, as compared to 11.9% with trimebutine, 26.1% with sumatriptane and 23.6% with meloxicam (p = 0.555). Both the association of trimebutine, sumatriptane and meloxicam and trimebutine, sumatriptane and meloxicam alone were effective to control nausea and photophobia after 1 and 2 h for nausea (p = 0.157 and 0.587) and photophobia (p = 0.671 and 0.929) although without statistically significant difference among them. Ten patients under the association of drugs, 6 under trimebutine, 5 under sumatriptane and 5 under meloxicam have reported side effects. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the association of sumatriptane, meloxicam and trimebutine was not better than each of those drugs alone to control pain, nausea and photophobia during moderate to severe migraine crises. In addition, the combination of drugs has shown a higher incidence of adverse effects.

Leukopoiesis is not affected after intravenous treatment with the novel antineoplastic agent taurolidine. Results of an experimental study in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chemotherapy can induce serious leukopenia. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects on leukopoiesis when the antineoplastic agent taurolidine (TRD) is administered by a bolus injection or during repetitive treatment (21 cycles) over 7 days in rats. METHODS: Rats were intravenously treated with a single injection (A) or by a 7-day treatment (B) with increasing doses of TRD versus control (isotone sodium) in a standardized animal model. Hematological adverse effects on leukopoiesis were analyzed in peripheral blood. RESULTS: (A) Neither the highest TRD concentration (3%) nor 1 or 2% caused a significant difference between the control and TRD groups (p > 0.085) in the perioperative course after bolus administration. (B) The administration of TRD 3% led to a slight change of granulocyte and monocyte counts compared to the control group particularly on postoperative day 7, but this difference was not significant. In both protocols a slight postoperative increase in leukocytes was observed. CONCLUSION: We report that TRD administered intravenously in an antitumor dose does not affect leukopoiesis in rats. Thus, the agent offers a promising and safe means in cancer treatment. The effects are currently investigated in incurable cancer patients.

[Adjuvant therapy of peritonitis with taurolidine. Modulation of mediator liberation]. / Adjuvante Peritonitistherapie mit Taurolidin. Modulation der Mediatorfreisetzung.

Despite aggressive surgical treatment, prompt antibiotic therapy, and modern intensive care, up to one half of patients still die of diffuse peritonitis. There must be a distinction between infection as a microbiological phenomenon and sepsis as a complex, deleterious, inflammatory host response. Physiologic and metabolic changes during the latter process by taxonomically different organisms or different sources of infection are often clinically indistinguishable. Taurolidine, an amino acid derivate, seems to cover a variety of effects in peritonitis. As secondary peritonitis is associated with a significant cytokine release that is compartementalized in the peritoneal cavity, taurolidine is bactericidal, antiendotoxic, and antiadherent locally and, on the other hand, may modulate the systemic cytokine-mediated inflammatory response after being adsorbed systemically by the peritoneum. Current management of peritonitis can clear the peritoneal cavity of microorganisms and their products but patients continue to die of uncontrolled cytokine-induced systemic inflammation. In patients that undergo daily staged, planned relaparotomies they should not only be treated locally by taurolidine but also systemically by intravenous administration. The latter should, as a sort of sequential therapy, be continued, especially when the peritoneal cavity has been closed after a series of relaparotomies.