Hydrogen peroxide: potential for prophylaxis against bacteriuria

The effect of dilute solutions of hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine, and acetic acid on a chronic Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteriuria was studied to determine whether direct bladder instillation of the antimicrobial solutions would reduce or eliminate the bacterial count. In vivo instillation of volumes ranging from 50 to 400ml and retained for 30 seconds to 48 hours was evaluated. The effect of the antimicrobial solution on bacterial survival in urine was also measured in vitro through quantitative analysis of the mixture at various times over 24 hours. Instillation of the antimicrobial solutions into the bladder had no measurable effect on the established bacteriuria. Symptoms of discomfort related to such a manipulation were least evident with hydrogen peroxide. In vitro, hydrogen peroxide had an antimicrobial effect as reflected by the reduction of the number of surviving organisms. Despite inefficacy in a case of already established bacteriuria, hydrogen peroxide appears worthy of study as a prophylactic agent against a variety of organisms because it exhibits in vitro efficacy and minimal in vivo symptoms.