The reaction of 5,5′-(1,3,6,8-tetraoxobenzo[lmn][3,8]phenanthrolin-2-7-diyl)bis-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H4L) with Zn(II)/Co(II) in the presence of different N-donor co-ligands yielded two transition metal coordination polymers (CPs), {[Co(H2L)(4,4′-bibp)]·H2O}n (1) and {[ZnL0.5(1,4-bimb)0.5(H2O)]·EtOH}n (2), by using 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (1,4-bimb)/4,4′-bis(benzoimidazo-1-yl)biphenyl (4,4′-bbib) as the additive. Their treatment effect on the bacterial infection in the hemodialysis patients was then evaluated. The catheter infection animal model was constructed first. The bacterial numbers on the catheter were counted after compound treatment. Then, the survival rate of the Staphylococcus aureus (SA) was assessed in vitro after treatment with 1 or 2. The survival genes relative expression level on the SA was detected through the real time RT-PCR method. Finally, the inflammatory cytokines released into plasma in the process of infection was measured through the ELISA test kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]