Minocycline and Ethylenediaminetetraacetate for the Prevention of Recurrent Vascular Catheter Infections

Three patients with recurrent vascular catheter-related bacteremia were successfully treated by allowing a solution of minocycline and ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) to dwell in the lumen of the indwelling catheter or by coating polyurethane catheters with minocycline/EDTA and flushing the lumen daily with the same solution. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that minocycline/ EDTA may have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, may have optimal anticoagulant activity, and may be highly efficacious in preventing catheter colonization.