Exit-site infection of peritoneal catheter is reduced by the use of polyhexanide. results of a prospective randomized trial

Effect of different exit-site care dressings on preventing peritoneal dialysis related infection from nontropical area: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECT

This study aims to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of various dressings in preventing exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCO), Sino Med, Wan Fang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 1 January 1999 to 10 July 2023. The language restrictions were Chinese and English. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and self-controlled trials were included in this study. We used ROB 2 tool to evaluate the quality of the included literature. Two authors independently extracted the data according to the Cochrane Handbook. A Frequentist network meta-analysis was performed using Stata17.0 according to PRISAMA with a random effects model.

RESULTS

From 2092 potentially eligible studies, thirteen studies were selected for analysis, including nine randomized controlled studies, three quasi-experimental studies and one self-controlled trial. A total of 1229 patients were included to compare five types of exit site care dressings, named disinfection dressings, antibacterial dressings, non-antibacterial occlusive dressings, sterile gauze, and no-particular dressings. The outcome of prevention ESI is antibacterial dressings (SUCRA = 97.6) >non-antibacterial occlusive dressings (SUCRA = 68.3) >disinfection dressings (SUCRA = 50.6) >no-particular dressings (SUCRA = 23.9) >sterile gauze (SUCRA = 9.5). The antibacterial dressings were more effective than sterile gauze (OR = 0.13, 95%CI 0.04∼0.44), and no-particular dressing (OR = 0.18, 95%CI 0.07∼0.50) in preventing ESI; the non-antibacterial occlusive dressings were effective than sterile gauze (OR:0.30, 95%CI 0.16∼0.57). There is no statistical significance between no-particular dressings and other types of dressings in preventing the mature ESI. There is no statistical significance in the effectiveness of five types of dressings in preventing peritonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The no-particular dressings maybe more cost-effective for preventing mature ESI. None of the dressings was more effective than another in preventing peritonitis. Then, none of the different types of dressing is strongly recommended for preventing ESI or peritonitis.

RegistrationCRD42022366756.

ISPD Catheter-related Infection Recommendations: 2023 Update

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter-related infections are important risk factors for catheter loss and peritonitis. The 2023 updated recommendations have revised and clarified definitions and classifications of exit site infection and tunnel infection. A new target for the overall exit site infection rate should be no more than 0.40 episodes per year at risk. The recommendation about topical antibiotic cream or ointment to catheter exit site has been downgraded. New recommendations include clarified suggestion of exit site dressing cover and updated antibiotic treatment duration with emphasis on early clinical monitoring to ascertain duration of therapy. In addition to catheter removal and reinsertion, other catheter interventions including external cuff removal or shaving, and exit site relocation are suggested.

Seasonal variations of enteric peritonitis in Belgium and France : RDPLF data

Summary Little information is available on the seasonal ecology of germs responsible for peritoneal dialysis peritonitis. We performed a retrospective study based on RDPLF data covering the last 20 years and 20411 episodes of peritonitis. We show that the percentage of enteric peritonitis is highest in summer, lowest in winter and identical in spring and autumn. This higher proportion of organisms of enteric origin in summer has itself tended to increase in recent years. We postulate that a food contamination by enteric germs associated with an increased bacterial translocation at the level of the digestive tract itself favoured by constipation, as well as changes of the food nature could be responsible for this phenomenon. These seasonal variations may suggest that probabilistic initial antibiotic therapy should be adapted in cases of suspected peritonitis before the results of bacteriological analysis.  

Antimicrobial activity of hemodialysis catheter lock solutions in relation to other compounds with antiseptic properties

Proper protection of vascular access after haemodialysis is one of the key measures for the prevention of catheter-related infections. Various substances with bactericidal and anticoagulant properties are used to fill catheters, but due to the unsatisfactory clinical effects and occurrence of adverse reactions, the search for new substances is still ongoing. In the present paper, we compared the in vitro antimicrobial activity of solutions used for tunnelled catheter locking (taurolidine, trisodium citrate) and solutions of substances that could potentially be used for this purpose (sodium bicarbonate, polyhexanide-betaine). The studies have been conducted on bacteria that most commonly cause catheter-related infections. The values of both minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum biofilm eradication concentration of the substances were determined. The ability of the tested substances to eradicate biofilm from the dialysis catheter surface was also evaluated. The results showed that polyhexanide-betaine inhibited the growth of all microbes comparably to taurolidine, even after ≥ 32-fold dilution. The activity of trisodium citrate and sodium bicarbonate was significantly lower. Polyhexanide exhibited the highest activity in the eradication of bacterial biofilm on polystyrene plates. The biofilm formed on a polyurethane dialysis catheter was resistant to complete eradication by the test substances. Polyhexanide-betaine and taurolidine showed the highest activity. Inhibition of bacterial growth regardless of species was observed not only at the highest concentration of these compounds but also after dilution 32-128x (taurolidine) and 32-1024x (polyhexanide-betaine). Therefore, it can be assumed that taurolidine application as a locking solution prevents catheter colonization and systemic infection development. Taurolidine displays high antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive cocci as well as Gram-negative bacilli. On the contrary, the lowest antibacterial effect displayed product contained sodium bicarbonate. The inhibitions of bacterial growth were not satisfactory to consider it as a substance for colonization prevention. Polyhexanidine-betaine possessed potent inhibitory and biofilm eradication properties comparing to all tested products. PHMB is applied as a wound irrigation solution worldwide. However, based on our results, we assume that the PHMB is a promising substance for catheter locking solutions thanks to its safety and high antimicrobial properties.

Outcome measures for technique survival reported in peritoneal dialysis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique survival is an important outcome for patients, caregivers and health professionals, however, the definition and measures used for technique survival vary. We aimed to assess the scope and consistency of definitions and measures used for technique survival in studies of patients receiving PD.

METHOD

MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases were searched for randomised controlled studies (RCTs) conducted in patients receiving PD reporting technique survival as an outcome between database inception and December 2019. The definition and measures used were extracted and independently assessed by two reviewers.

RESULTS

We included 25 RCTs with a total of 3645 participants (41-371 per trial) and follow up ranging from 6 weeks to 4 years. Terminology used included 'technique survival' (10 studies), 'transfer to haemodialysis (HD)' (8 studies) and 'technique failure' (7 studies) with 17 different definitions. In seven studies, it was unclear whether the definition included transfer to HD, death or transplantation and eight studies reported 'transfer to HD' without further definition regarding duration or other events. Of those remaining, five studies included death in their definition of a technique event, whereas death was censored in the other five. The duration of HD necessary to qualify as an event was reported in only four (16%) studies. Of the 14 studies reporting causes of an event, all used a different list of causes.

CONCLUSION

There is substantial heterogeneity in how PD technique survival is defined and measured, likely contributing to considerable variability in reported rates. Standardised measures for reporting technique survival in PD studies are required to improve comparability.

Antimicrobial approaches in the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus infections: a review

Background

The prophylactic application of antimicrobials that are active against Staphylococcus aureus can prevent infections. However, implementation in clinical practice is limited. We have reviewed antimicrobial approaches for the prevention of S. aureus infections.

Methods

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and trial registries using synonyms for S. aureus, infections and prevention as search terms. We included randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews only.

Results

Most studies were conducted with mupirocin. Mupirocin is effective in preventing S. aureus infections in patients receiving dialysis treatment and in surgical patients, particularly if the patients are carriers of S. aureus. The combination of mupirocin and chlorhexidine, but not chlorhexidine alone, is also effective against S. aureus infections. So far, vaccines have not proven successful in protecting against S. aureus infections. Regarding prophylactic povidone-iodine and systemic antibiotics, there is limited evidence supporting their effectiveness against S. aureus infections. Antimicrobial honey has not been proven to be more effective or non-inferior to mupirocin in protecting against S. aureus infections.

Conclusions

The current evidence supports the use of mupirocin as prophylaxis for preventing infections with S. aureus, particularly in carriers and in the surgical setting or in patients receiving dialysis treatment. Other antimicrobial agents have not been sufficiently proven to be effective so far, or have been proven ineffective. New trials with vaccines and anti-staphylococcal peptides are currently underway and may lead to new preventive strategies in the future.

Effect of Local Polyhexanide Application in Preventing Exit-Site Infection and Peritonitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Topical antibiotic and antiseptic agents have been documented to reduce exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis in PD. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of polyhexanide in the prevention of ESI and peritonitis. Patients were excluded if they had active infection, > 18 years of age, ESI and peritonitis within the previous 4 weeks, received PD for less than 3-months and history of allergy to either drug. All patients were followed up until catheter removal, death, switch to dialysis, transplantation or the end of the study. ESI, tunnel infection, peritonitis, catheter removal and microorganism cause of catheter-related infection were recorded prospectively during clinic follow-up. A total of 88 patients (41 povidone-iodine group; 47 polyhexanide group) were enrolled with a total follow-up duration of 480 and 555 patient-months for povidone-iodine and alternating group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the age, sex, BMI, time of PD, rate of DM, and S. aureus carriage state. A total of 8 ESI and 25 peritonitis episodes were detected during the study. ESI and peritonitis rates tended to be lower in polyhexanide group compared with the povidone-iodine group (0.06 episodes/patient-year vs. 0.12 episodes/patient-year; 0.26 episodes/patient-year vs. 0.32 episodes/patient-year, respectively), but were not significant statistically. Moreover, catheter removal was similar in both groups (0.04 / patient-year vs. 0.05 / patient-year). Polyhexanide is efficient and safe for the prevention of ESI and peritonitis and it may be used as an alternative procedure for the care of healthy exit sites.

MUL+DO: a multicomponent index for the quick diagnosis of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients

Peritoneal infection is a common problem that has a negative impact on the survival of patients and the technique. The early administration of peritoneal infection treatment reduces complications. The goal of this study is to propose a multicomponent index (MUL+DO) for the quick and efficient diagnosis of peritoneal infection. We selected a training cohort of peritoneal effluent samples which were analysed by Multistix ® 10 SG Siemens test strips for leukocyte detection. Then, each sample was examined according to the gold standard: number of leukocytes, polymorphonuclear percentage and microbiological culture. We constructed the MUL+DO index by adding one point to the MULTISTIX [0-1-2-3] modified chromatic scale if the patient reported pain. The MUL+DO index ranged from 0 to 4. A model validation cohort was then created. MUL+DO was applied to each sample and leukocytes and polymorphonuclear percentage were also assessed. The training cohort ultimately included 134 samples, 34 of which with infection (25.4% [17.6-33.1]). Samples with a MUL+DO value greater than 1 presented a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The validation cohort included 100 samples with 16 infections (16% [8.3-23.7]). Assuming a sample with a MUL+DO value greater than 1 to be positive, we obtained a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95.2%. The MUL+DO index applied to the training cohort showed a perfect separation of the positive and negative populations. All positive patients presented a score ≥2. In the validation cohort, the MUL+DO reported a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95.2%.

Antimicrobial agents for preventing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an important therapy for patients with end-stage kidney disease and is used in more than 200,000 such patients globally. However, its value is often limited by the development of infections such as peritonitis and exit-site and tunnel infections. Multiple strategies have been developed to reduce the risk of peritonitis including antibiotics, topical disinfectants to the exit site and antifungal agents. However, the effectiveness of these strategies has been variable and are based on a small number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The optimal preventive strategies to reduce the occurrence of peritonitis remain unclear.This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2004.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms of antimicrobial strategies used to prevent peritonitis in PD patients.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant's Specialised Register to 4 October 2016 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies contained in the Specialised Register are identified through search strategies specifically designed for CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE; handsearching conference proceedings; and searching the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs or quasi-RCTs in patients receiving chronic PD, which evaluated any antimicrobial agents used systemically or locally to prevent peritonitis or exit-site/tunnel infection were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Summary estimates of effect were obtained using a random-effects model, and results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies, randomising 4435 patients, were included. Twenty additional studies have been included in this update. The risk of bias domains were often unclear or high; risk of bias was judged to be low in 19 (49%) studies for random sequence generation, 12 (31%) studies for allocation concealment, 22 (56%) studies for incomplete outcome reporting, and in 12 (31%) studies for selective outcome reporting. Blinding of participants and personnel was considered to be at low risk of bias in 8 (21%) and 10 studies (26%) for blinding of outcome assessors. It should be noted that blinding of participants and personnel was not possible in many of the studies because of the nature of the intervention or control treatment.The use of oral or topical antibiotic compared with placebo/no treatment, had uncertain effects on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (3 studies, 191 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.04) and the risk of peritonitis (5 studies, 395 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.19).The use of nasal antibiotic compared with placebo/no treatment had uncertain effects on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (3 studies, 338 patients, low quality evidence: RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.62 to 2.87) and the risk of peritonitis (3 studies, 338 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.31).Pre/perioperative intravenous vancomycin compared with no treatment may reduce the risk of early peritonitis (1 study, 177 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.61) but has an uncertain effect on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (1 study, 177 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.32).The use of topical disinfectant compared with standard care or other active treatment (antibiotic or other disinfectant) had uncertain effects on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (8 studies, 973 patients, low quality evidence, RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.33) and the risk of peritonitis (6 studies, 853 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.06).Antifungal prophylaxis with oral nystatin/fluconazole compared with placebo/no treatment may reduce the risk of fungal peritonitis occurring after a patient has had an antibiotic course (2 studies, 817 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.63).No intervention reduced the risk of catheter removal or replacement. Most of the available studies were small and of suboptimal quality. Only six studies enrolled 200 or more patients.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In this update, we identified limited data from RCTs and quasi-RCTs which evaluated strategies to prevent peritonitis and exit-site/tunnel infections. This review demonstrates that pre/peri-operative intravenous vancomycin may reduce the risk of early peritonitis and that antifungal prophylaxis with oral nystatin or fluconazole reduces the risk of fungal peritonitis following an antibiotic course. However, no other antimicrobial interventions have proven efficacy. In particular, the use of nasal antibiotic to eradicate Staphylococcus aureus, had an uncertain effect on the risk of peritonitis and raises questions about the usefulness of this approach. Given the large number of patients on PD and the importance of peritonitis, the lack of adequately powered and high quality RCTs to inform decision making about strategies to prevent peritonitis is striking.

Peritoneal dialysis practice in Australia and New Zealand: A call to sustain the action

This paper updates a previous 'Call to Action' paper (Nephrology 2011; 16: 19-29) that reviewed key outcome data for Australian and New Zealand peritoneal dialysis patients and made recommendations to improve care. Since its publication, peritonitis rates have improved significantly, although they have plateaued more recently. Peritoneal dialysis patient and technique survival in Australian and New Zealand have also improved, with a reduction in the proportion of technique failures attributed to 'social reasons'. Despite these improvements, technique survival rates overall remain lower than in many other parts of the world. This update includes additional practical recommendations based on published evidence and emerging initiatives to further improve outcomes.

Can dressings soaked with polyhexanide reduce bacterial loads in full-thickness skin grafting? A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)-based antiseptic solutions can reduce bacterial loads in different clinical settings and are believed to lower risk of infections.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess the efficacy of a PHMB-based solution in lowering bacterial loads of full-thickness skin grafting wounds and the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs).

METHODS

In this double-blinded clinical trial, 40 patients planned for facial full-thickness skin grafting were randomized 1:1 to receive tie-over dressings soaked with either PHMB-based solution or sterile water. Quantitative and qualitative bacterial analysis was performed on all wounds before surgery, at the end of surgery, and 7 days postoperatively. In addition, all patients were screened for nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus.

RESULTS

Analysis of wounds showed no statistically significant difference in bacterial reductions between the groups. The SSI rates were significantly higher in the intervention group (8/20) than in the control group (2/20) (P = .028). Higher postoperative bacterial loads were a common finding in SSIs (P = .011). This was more frequent when S aureus was present postoperatively (P = .034), intraoperatively (P = .03), and in patients with intranasal S aureus colonization (P = .007).

LIMITATIONS

Assessment of SSIs is largely subjective. In addition, this was a single-center study and the total number of participants was 40.

CONCLUSION

Soaking tie-over dressings with PHMB solution in full-thickness skin grafting had no effect on postoperative bacterial loads and increased the risk of SSI development. The presence of S aureus intranasally and in wounds preoperatively and postoperatively increased postoperative bacterial loads, which in turn resulted in significantly more SSIs.

[Randomised clinical trial to compare two tracheotomy care methods in an Intensive Care Unit]

INTRODUCTION

Tracheotomy is a common technique in Intensive Care Units (ICU). It is known that nursing care during and after that procedure is directly related to its success, by reducing the possible complications to a minimum, such as the stoma infection, and contributing to a favourable outcome in critical patients.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the use of polyhexanide (PLX) versus saline+povidone iodine (PY) as antiseptics and infection incidence in tracheostomies performed in Intensive Care Units.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A 2-year, experimental, randomised, open-label trial carried out in a multidiscipline ICU with 32 beds. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Principality of Asturias.

RESULTS

The overall infection rate observed for every hundred patients was 1.34 (95% CI; 0.81-2.01), with 1.46 when using PLX and 1.21 for PY (P=.685).

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of the experimental treatment (PLX) was shown to be effective in other types of wounds in our study. No significant differences were found between this technique and the standard one. Since there is no national registry of tracheotomy- associated infections, it is not possible to know whether the rate observed is within the usual parameters.

Burkholderia cepacia Exit-Site Infection in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients-Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes

♦

BACKGROUND

Burkholderia cepacia is a hardy bacterium with intrinsic resistance to multiple antibiotics and high transmissibility. Opportunistic healthcare-associated B. cepacia infections among immunocompromised or critically ill patients have been reported, but there is limited data on the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of exit-site infection (ESI) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. ♦

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who suffered from B. cepacia ESI from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2014 were reviewed. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of the patients and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacterial isolates were analyzed. ♦

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were included for analysis. Eight patients (36.4%) had medical conditions which impaired host immunity, while 7 (31.8%) had pre-existing skin abnormalities. Three patients (13.6%) progressed to tunnel-tract infection and another 3 patients (13.6%) developed associated peritonitis. Fifteen patients (68.2%) responded to medical treatment while 7 (31.8%) required catheter removal. Eleven patients (50.0%) had recurrent B. cepacia ESI, which occurred at 7.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1 - 19.4 months) after the first episode. Most B. cepacia strains were susceptible to ceftazidime (95.5%), piperacillin/tazobactam (95.5%), and piperacillin (90.9%). Besides aminoglycosides (80 - 100%), high rates of resistance were also observed for ticarcillin/clavulanate (90.9%). ♦

CONCLUSION

Burkholderia cepacia ESI is associated with low rates of tunnel-tract infection or peritonitis, but the risk of recurrence is high. Most cases can be managed with medical treatment alone, although one third of patients might require catheter removal.