EFFECT OF VANCOMYCIN AND TEICOPLANIN ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH FUSIDIC ACID OR AMIKACIN AGAINST METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCI

The action of two glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin) alone or in combination with amikacin or fusidic acid has been studied against 10 non-repetitive strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. The plotted killing curves show that the combination of vancomycin or tei coplanin plus fusidic acid always exhibited an antagonist effect at 24 h for the 10 strains. The combination vancomycin or teicoplanin plus a mikacin shows the same effect at 24h as vancomycin or teicoplanin alon e. Thus, the combination glycopeptide plus amikacin does not alter the activity of the glycopeptide but does increase the spectrum of activi ty of the combination versus Gram-negative nosocomial bacteria (Pseudo monas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp). The vancomycin or teicoplanin plu s fusidic acid combination may be responsible for bacteriological fail ure against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus.