The Effect of an Antibiotic on the Production of Uremic Toxins by the Gut Microbiome

The Effect of an Antibiotic on the Production of Uremic Toxins by the Gut Microbiome

The purpose of this study is to determine if multiple doses of vancomycin over the course of 3 months will perturb the intestinal flora (microbiome) and result in reduced serum concentration of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate. The design of the study will permit investigators to assess the variability of serum uremic retention solute concentrations with and without antibiotic over a three-month period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with stable chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis with a fistula or an AV graft.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Antibiotics received within the last 3 months;
• recent diarrhea
• known allergy to vancomycin
• history of C. difficile infection
• elevation of white blood cell count or fever within one week of enrollment.