Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment in Hemodialysis

After being informed about the study and potential risks all eligible patients, giving written informed consent will be included in the study. At week 0 patients will be randomized in a single blinded manner (participants and care providers) in a 1:1 manner to receive 500/125mg amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 30-120 minutes before each hemodialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC) as vascular access, or corresponding placebo. The timing of antibiotic administration has been established in a pilot-study in order to secure a sufficient concentration of antibiotics during the dialysis session. In case of side effects to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, the prophylactic antibiotic will be shifted to 600mg clindamycin. Total treatment period with prophylactic antibiotics is 6 months, with a 1 year follow-up.

Inclusion criteria

• End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) patients who receive an uncuffed or cuffed CVC for expected chronic HD, regardless of previous ESKD treatment modality (PD or KTX) and hemodialysis access (AV-fistula or AV-graft))
• ≥18 years
• Ability to understand the study background, risk and benefit of treatment and to give written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to give informed consent
• Known intolerance to beta-lactam antibiotics and clindamycin
• Active infection treated with antibiotics
• Breastfeeding
• Pregnancy. In women of childbearing age, an approved birth control must be ensured at least 1 month before and during all the 6 months of antibiotic/placebo treatment.

Patients may be rescreened later i.e. within a time period of one month from start of HD, if exclusion criteria are reversible.