Telavancin versus vancomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections associated with surgical procedures.
BACKGROUND
We compared telavancin with vancomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections (cSSSI) caused by Gram-positive bacteria.


METHODS
This was a retrospective analysis of clinical and microbiologic efficacy assessed at test-of-cure (7 to 14 days after completing therapy) in 194 patients from 2 randomized, double-blind clinical trials comparing telavancin (10 mg/kg intravenous [IV] every 24 hours; n = 101) with vancomycin (1 g IV every 12 hours; n = 93) for the treatment of cSSSI.


RESULTS
Baseline characteristics were similar for both treatment groups. Clinical cure and microbiologic eradication rates demonstrated consistent trends favoring telavancin over vancomycin; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The incidence of adverse events was mostly similar between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of telavancin was at least equivalent to that of vancomycin for the treatment of cSSSI. These data suggest that telavancin may be a useful alternative for treatment of cSSSI caused by S. aureus, particularly MRSA.
Wilson
Samuel E
SE
Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, USA. wilsonse@uci.edu
O'Riordan
William
W
Hopkins
Alan
A
Friedland
H David
HD
Barriere
Steven L
SL
Kitt
Michael M
MM
D000368:Aged; D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077427:Lipoglycopeptides; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000077427:Lipoglycopeptides; D014640:Vancomycin; C487637:telavancin