title: Decolonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using oral vancomycin and topical mupirocin.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a short course of oral vancomycin and intranasal mupirocin ointment in the eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization. During an outbreak of MRSA, the colonized subjects received oral vancomycin and topical mupirocin. They were screened for MRSA 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after decolonization. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the side-effects of oral vancomycin. Thirty-five subjects were treated. Clearance was achieved in all cases, in 24 (69%) subjects after one course of therapy. Twenty-eight (80%) subjects experienced some side-effects, including six (17%) who did not tolerate oral vancomycin. Although oral vancomycin, in combination with topical mupirocin, is effective in the elimination of MRSA colonization, there is a need for further studies to confirm our results and to evaluate the safety of oral vancomycin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, St Elisabeth Hospital, PO Box 747, 5000 AS Tilburg, The Netherlands. B.Maraha@dszh.nl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maraha
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Halteren
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Verzijl
authors.forename: R G F
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wintermans
authors.forename: A G M
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Buiting
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009824:Ointments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D014640:Vancomycin; D016712:Mupirocin