title: Comparative killing kinetics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by bacitracin or mupirocin.
abstract: The in vitro activities of bacitracin and mupirocin were compared for seven different strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Six of seven strains showed bacitracin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.5 to 1.0 units/mL, and all seven had mupirocin MICs of 0.5 to 2 micrograms/mL. Time-kill studies revealed 2.6- to 4.5-log reduction in 24 hours with strains susceptible to bacitracin (4 units/mL) and 0 to 2.2 reduction with mupirocin (16 micrograms/mL). Bacitracin should be considered further for in vivo studies because of enhanced bacteriocidal effect and lower cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467-2490, USA.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Chapnick
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gradon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kreiswirth
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Lutwick
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Schaffer
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Schiano
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Levi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D009518:New York; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001414:Bacitracin; D016712:Mupirocin