Gentamicin Bladder Instillation in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Having Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
Gentamicin Bladder Instillation in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Having Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
Participants will undergo daily gentamicin bladder instillations to determine if its use will
 reduce the rate of symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) as well as the use of oral and
 intravenous antibiotics in adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) who have recurrent
 UTIs. Participants are randomized into one of three groups: 1) Gentamicin and saline
 instillation 2) Saline only instillation 3) Standard of care, no instillation.
The purpose of this study is to determine if twice daily bladder flushing with an antibiotic
 solution will decrease the rate of UTIs and the use of oral medications used to treat UTIs.
 The occurrence of UTIs in the SCI population is high, with a rate of about 2.5 episodes per
 year. The inability to effectively empty the bladder increases the risk of UTIs, which are
 the most common medical complication after SCI. This study will help us understand the
 effectiveness of a local bladder therapy on preventing UTIs and improving bladder function in
 individuals with SCI.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  At least 18 years of age;

 -  Non-progressive spinal cord injury;

 -  Stable medical condition;

 -  Bladder dysfunction as a result of spinal cord injury

 -  History of recurrent UTIs (defined as 3 or more within the past year or 2 or more
 within the past 6 months).

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Signs or symptoms of serious UTI that requires the use of systemic antibiotics;

 -  Use of any urine-acidifying agent, bladder irrigant, or systemic antibiotic within the
 previous 2 weeks;

 -  Participants colonized with gentamicin-resistant bacteria on baseline urine culture or
 a gentamicin allergy/sensitivity;

 -  Participants with known hearing loss and/or renal disease;

 -  Pregnant at the time of enrollment or planning to become pregnant during the time
 course of the study.