In vitro bacteriostatic activity of the sodium citrate injection for catheter locking

Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the sodium citrate injection for cathe-ter locking. Methods: The agar dilution method and broth dilution test were used to determine the minimal inhibi-tory concentrations (MIC) of the sodium citrate injection for catheter locking in 204 standard strains and clinical i-solated strains. Agar diffusion method was applied to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of sodium citrate injection with that of heparin sodium injection. Results: The MIC ranges of sodium citrate injection against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were 58.4～7.3, 29.2～7.3, 233.5～116.8,233.5～58.4 and 58.4～29.2 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. The diameters of inhibition zone were 2.6, 2.8, 1.2, 4.4 and 2.4 cm. On the other hand, heparin sodium injection was proved to show no antimicrobial effect of any significance by agar diffusion method. Conclusion: The sodium citrate injection for catheter locking has favorable antimicrobial effect against pathogens for infection of indwelling catheter, and is a promising substitute for heparin sodium injection.