title: Beta-lactams versus glycopeptides in treatment of subcutaneous abscesses infected with Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: The antibacterial efficacies of the beta-lactam antibiotics nafcillin and cefazolin were compared with those of the glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin in rats with subcutaneous abscesses infected with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Animals were treated with antibiotics or diluent for 3 or 7 days. Rats receiving any antibiotic treatment, with the exception of teicoplanin-treated animals at day 7, had lower bacterial counts in their abscesses than did controls at days 3 and 7. Rats in the nafcillin and cefazolin treatment groups had lower bacterial counts in their abscesses than did rats in the vancomycin and teicoplanin treatment groups at days 3 and 7. The beta-lactam antibiotics were more effective therapy than the glycopeptide antibiotics in rats with subcutaneous abscesses infected with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. In vitro, animal, and clinical data comparing beta-lactam and glycopeptide treatment of S. aureus infections were reviewed along with the resulting treatment recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Wisniewski
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006020:Glycopeptides; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006020:Glycopeptides; D047090:beta-Lactams