Activity of novobiocin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
As infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus become increasingly prevalent, newer alternative antibiotics, especially those which are orally administered, will be required. In order to provide an in-vitro basis for selecting alternative antibiotics, we studied the susceptibility of 103 strains of methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus from seven institutions to oral antimicrobial agents. Novobiocin, rifampicin, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole had excellent in-vitro activity against virtually all strains of methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus. The MIC90 and MBC90 of novobiocin against methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus were 0.25 mg/l. Since previously reported achievable serum levels with oral novobiocin are 100 to 200 times its MIC90 against methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus, novobiocin should be evaluated further for combination therapy with rifampicin or trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole.
D006801:Humans; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009675:Novobiocin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
D009675:Novobiocin; D008712:Methicillin