In vivo reduction of bacterial populations in the urinary tract of catheterized sheep by iontophoresis.

PURPOSE: Iontophoresis kills microbes in vitro and, therefore, may be a useful method for eliminating microbial populations associated with catheter-induced urinary tract infections in vivo.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Catheters were modified to deliver current to platinum electrodes in the catheter tip. Female sheep were catheterized with this iontophoretic catheter and left ambulatory. In 5 sheep (experimental group) 400 microA was applied to the catheter and withheld in 4 sheep (control group) for 20 to 21 days. The animals were then sacrificed. During the study, types and concentrations of bacteria, and physical and chemical characteristics of the urine samples were determined.

RESULTS

Throughout the study, bacteria levels were reduced in urinary tracts of the experimental group (10(3) to 10(4) microbes per ml.) compared with the control group (10(7) microbes per ml.), without extensive alterations to urine chemistry or the sheep urinary tract.

CONCLUSIONS

Since iontophoresis safely reduced bacterial populations in catheterized sheep, this technology may reduce or eliminate nosocomial, catheter-induced urinary tract infections in humans.