Teicoplanin and oral ciprofloxacin as outpatient treatment of infective episodes in patients with indwelling central venous catheters and haematological malignancy

Abstract

Central venous catheters are often the focus of microbial colonization which may cause bacteraemia (or fungal septicaemia) in both neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients. Such episodes are associated with considerable morbidity and may require admission to hospital or replacement of the central line. We have used the combination of intravenous teicoplanin and oral ciprofloxacin to treat such episodes as outpatients, achieving a salvage rate of 74%. Seven of thirty-five episodes resulted in removal of the line. The treatment was well tolerated and well-suited to the day ward setting.