Bacitracin versus mupirocin for Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization.
We performed a randomized prospective study of 5-day treatment with topical mupirocin or bacitracin for the elimination of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in healthcare workers (HCWs). Nasal cultures were obtained from 141 HCWs, 37 (26%) of whom showed S. aureus. After 72 to 96 hours of treatment, the organism was eradicated in 15 (94%) of 16 by mupirocin and in 8 (44%) of 18 by bacitracin (P = .0031). Similar efficacy was demonstrated at 30 days. Mupirocin may be more effective than bacitracin for eradication of S. aureus in healthy HCWs.
Soto
N E
NE
Department of Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11219, USA.
Vaghjimal
A
A
Stahl-Avicolli
A
A
Protic
J R
JR
Lutwick
L I
LI
Chapnick
E K
EK
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001414:Bacitracin; D016712:Mupirocin