Introduction
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) and thrombosis are the major complications in hemodialysis patients [1]. Microbes known to cause CRBSI include Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts [2]. CRBSI are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and excess healthcare costs. Patients who receive dialysis through the catheter are 2–3 times more likely to be hospitalized for infection and to die of septic complications than dialysis patients with grafts or fistula [1, 3]. Guideline-based care has had a dramatic impact where implemented. CRBSI rate reduction to 0.5 infections per 1000 patient days was reported in a compliant hemodialysis unit in 2017 [4]. Neutrolin® (CorMedix, Berkeley Heights, NJ, USA) contains taurolidine as its active antimicrobial, which has demonstrated efficacy in children and adults [5, 6]. Taurolidine is a nonspecific antimicrobial with a broad spectrum of activity [7], and no microbial resistance has been observed [8]. Neutrolin® was recently introduced in Germany as an antimicrobial catheter lock solution. Postmarketing experience is important in assessing the CRBSI rate impact of Neutrolin® when used in routine practice.
Methods
A surveillance program monitoring Neutrolin® use in hemodialysis patients receiving dialysis through tunneled central venous catheters was undertaken at 20 dialysis centers in Germany from January 2014 to September 2016. Hemodialysis patients with new tunneled central venous catheters who had not been hospitalized within the previous 6 months due to CRBSI or catheter thrombosis were selected. Patients received Neutrolin® 2–3 times per week and were followed until either the catheter failed due to clotting or CRBSI, or it is removed due to fistula maturation. Data describing dialysis sessions, likely CRBSI, and catheter thrombi were collected. Investigators reported adverse drug reactions according to postmarketing standards. A total of 201 patients were exposed to more than or equal to one dose of Neutrolin® and they had 15,706 dialysis sessions. Catheter days were estimated by multiplying dialysis sessions by 3. 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of infection rate and thrombosis rate were calculated using Byar’s approximation and the Poisson method, and verified using open source software (http://www.openepi.com).
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Results
The results are displayed in Table 1.
Table 1
Postmarketing Neutrolin® experience compared to two historical controls
Napalkov et al. (2013) [1] Data from 2000–2007 | Youssouf et al. (2017) [4] Data from 2010–2011 | Neutrolin® Rate [95% CI] Raw data | |
|---|---|---|---|
Infection (likely CRBSI) | 4.0/1000 days | 0.5/1000 days | 0.28 [0.15, 0.47] (13/47,118 days) |
Catheter failure Thrombosis | 1.26/1000 days | Not collected | 0.15 [0.05, 0.31] (7/47,118 days) |
Adverse drug reactions
No adverse drug reactions leading to the discontinuation of Neutrolin® use were reported. Two patients experienced occasional transient dysgeusia.
Discussion
This paper describes the postmarketing experience with Neutrolin® in dialysis units in Germany after the publication of new guidelines [9, 10] to prevent infection. Though this was an open-label experience, there are two relevant historical controls whose data are displayed in Table 1; Napalkov et al. [1], where the data were collected prior to the institution of these guidelines, and Youssouf et al. [4], where the data were collected afterwards. Comparison of the two historical controls shows a dramatic improvement in infection rates prior to this Neutrolin® experience. The Youssouf et al. [4] experience describes a focused implementation of guidelines with resultant improvement in infection rates. In order to obtain a perspective on whether the low rates observed with Neutrolin® are due to chance alone, 95% CIs were calculated. As can be seen in Table 1, the upper bound of the 95% CI is less than the mean result from Youssouf et al. [4]. Though this cannot be interpreted as a statistically significant difference from historical controls, it is interesting reinforcement of the observed trend. Currently, there is a large, double-blind, randomized, active control study comparing Neutrolin® to heparin in the United States that is statistically powered to deliver definitive results (LOCK-IT-100; see Clinicaltrials.gov). In conclusion, Neutrolin®, when used in conjunction with guideline-based catheter care, can reduce the rate of both CRBSI and catheter thrombosis relative to recent historical controls.
Acknowledgements
The authors and CorMedix, Inc. and CorMedix Europe GmbH wish to gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following investigators at the dialysis units: Dr. Iwig at Meiningen, Dr. Scholl at Mühlhausen/Bad Langensalza, Dr. Knittel at Witten, Dr. Rahman at Magdeburg, Dr. Fierlbeck at Dillenburg, Dr. Rettig at Quedlinburg, Dr. Menzer at Homburg, Dr. Tröster at Westerstede, Dr. Sina Küllmer at DZ Kirchhain, Dr. Kuehn at Tangermünde/Genthin, Dr. Krebs at Menden, Dr. Winkelmann at Ilfeld/Sondershausen, Dr. M. Peuters at Leverkusen, Dr. Schlee at Weissenfels, Dr. Busch at Lünen, Dr. Müller at Erftstadt, Dr. Anger at Arnstadt, Dr. Bunia at Iserlohn, and Drs D. Kaapke and Bachmann at Arnsberg.
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The authors and CorMedix also wish to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Frau Ute Petrak of CorMedix Europe GmbH, who ensured that documentation and approvals were maintained.
Compliance with ethical standards
Ethics
Neutrolin® was used consistent with its marketing authorization in the EU. Accordingly, as specified in German Medical Device Law (§ 23b MPG), if a CE-marked medical device is used in a clinical trial within its intended purpose, the respective study is not subject to ethics approval.
Informed consent
Patient consent was not required, because individually identified data were anonymized and aggregated by the reporting physicians, consistent with EU data protection law (Directive 95/46/EC).
Potential conflict of interest
BER and BP are members of CorMedix, Inc.’s Scientific Advisory Board.
CW is a Data Safety Monitoring Board Member for CorMedix, Inc.
AS was an employee of CorMedix, Inc.
AEP is an employees of CorMedix, Inc.
DS is an employee of CorMedix Europe GmbH.
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MC has no conflict of interest.
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