title: Efficacy of ertapenem against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in complicated skin/skin structure infections: results of a double-blind clinical trial versus piperacillin-tazobactam.
abstract: Staphylococcus aureus is the predominant pathogen in complicated skin/skin structure infections. In this analysis of a subgroup of data from a randomised, double-blind trial, the efficacy of ertapenem 1 g daily was compared with piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g Q6H for treatment of complicated skin/skin structure infections caused by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). Of the 529 treated patients in this trial, 185 (35.0%) had MSSA as a baseline pathogen. At the test of cure assessment 10-21 days post-therapy, 54 of 67 (80.6%) protocol evaluable patients in the ertapenem group and 55 of 68 (80.9%) in the piperacillin-tazobactam group were cured (odds ratio: 1.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4-2.4), P = 0.99). In both treatment groups, cure rates were higher in patients with monomicrobial than polymicrobial infections, but the difference was not significant. In this subgroup analysis of patients with MSSA complicated skin/skin structure infections, therapy with ertapenem 1 g daily was as effective as piperacillin-tazobactam 13.5 g divided in four daily doses.
authors.affiliation: Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19422, USA. richard_gesser@merck.com
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gesser
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: McCarroll
authors.forename: Gail L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000077727:Ertapenem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007769:Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007769:Lactams; D047090:beta-Lactams; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D000077727:Ertapenem; D010878:Piperacillin