A hydrophilic polymer‐coated antimicrobial urethral catheter

An antibiotic eluting catheter has been designed to suppress bacteriuria associated with indwelling catheter drainage of the bladder. A coating of hydrophilicgel plastic, Hydron, is used as the vehicle from which the antimicrobial agent is locally released. In 15 dogs, indwelling Hydron-cephalothin catheters provided a high degree of protection against bacteriuria up to 96 hr. After 48 hr, all 12 control animals became infected. In preliminary clinical trials involving 60 definitive cases Hydron-cephalothin (Group II) and plain Hydron (Group III)-coated indwelling catheters prevented the development of bacteriuria to a significant degree compared with uncoated latex controls (Group I). At the end of 5 days, the cumulative per cent infected for Groups I, II, and III was 75, 33, and 4.7%, respectively. Increased lubricity and reduced urethral mocosal reaction at the catheter interface promote drainage and prevent accumulation of detritus at the meatus. An indwelling antibiotic eluting catheter appears to interdict bacterial invasion of the bladder by, through, and around the catheter.