The cost comparison of vancomycin vs teicoplanin in the treatment of osteo-articular infection involving the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus.

This clinical and economical study compared two glycopeptides regimen i.e., vancomycin and teicoplanin in the treatment of osteoarticular infection in volving methicillin-resistant staphylococcus. After randomization, 15 patie nts (group 1) received vancomycin (23 F per gramme) in continuous infusion through a central venous catheter and 15 others (group 2) intramuscular tei coplanin (311-357 Fa 400 mg vial), The clinical study focused on treatment tolerance in an in-patient setting as well as in a non in-patient one, The cost analysis focused on total expenses including those of antibiotics, tho se of medical devices for antibiotic administration and those of the compli cations caused by the antibiotics use, Total expenses per patient averaged 8744 F with vancomycin and 8555 F with teicoplanin (NS). The apparent money saving by using a cheap antibiotic (i.e. vancomycin) was illusionary as on e took in account the expenses for medical devices e,g., central venous cat heters required to administrate vancomycin and the complications due to the use of these devices. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevie r SAS.