Telavancin versus vancomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections associated with surgical procedures

Am J Surg. 2009 Jun;197(6):791-6. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.05.012. Epub 2008 Dec 18.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aminoglycosides / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipoglycopeptides
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Surgical Wound Infection / drug therapy*
  • Vancomycin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Aminoglycosides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Lipoglycopeptides
  • Vancomycin
  • telavancin