Randomized trial compares gentamicin and mupirocin creams in preventing infections in peritoneal dialysis patients, suggesting gentamicin as the better option.
Key Points
Evaluate the effectiveness of gentamicin versus mupirocin cream for preventing infections at the catheter exit site in peritoneal dialysis patients.
Randomized, double-blind trial with 133 patients from three centers
Patients received daily mupirocin or gentamicin cream applied to catheter exit site
Infection rates were tracked prospectively, expressed as episodes per dialysis-year at risk.
Catheter infection rates were significantly lower with gentamicin (0.23/yr) versus mupirocin (0.54/yr; P = 0.005)
No Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections were found with gentamicin compared to 0.11/yr with mupirocin (P < 0.003)
Gentamicin reduced peritonitis rates by 35% (0.34/yr with gentamicin vs 0.52/yr with mupirocin; P = 0.03)