Efficacy and pharmacodynamics of teicoplanin given daily during the first 3 days and then on alternate days for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections

Fifteen evaluable patients (mean age, 67 years) were enrolled to assess the efficacy of teicoplanin, 6 mg/kg given daily during the first 3 days and t hen on alternate days, for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphyloc occus aureus(MRSA) infections. Eight patients had soft tissue infections, f our catheter-associated bacteraemia, two osteomyelitis and one pneumonia. C linical cure was observed in 13 of 15 patients. Both clinical and bacteriol ogical failures were shown in the two patients with osteomyelitis. The mean serum levels of teicoplanin (mg/L) were 22, 8 and 6.7 for peak, 24 h and 4 8 h troughs, respectively. The dosage employed in this study proved effecti ve in non-deep-seated MRSA infections.