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Published on: February 9, 2011

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for treatment of severe Staphylococcus aureus infections

May Adra1, Kenneth R Lawrence

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111-1533, USA. madra@tufts-nemc.org

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|January 27, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) shows promise as an alternative to vancomycin for severe Staphylococcus aureus infections. This antibiotic combination may be effective for treating infections caused by susceptible S. aureus strains with low bacterial loads.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Severe Staphylococcus aureus infections pose significant treatment challenges.
  • Vancomycin is a primary treatment option, but concerns about resistance and toxicity exist.
  • Alternative therapeutic agents are needed for effective Staphylococcus aureus infection management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) as an alternative to vancomycin.
  • To assess the role of TMP/SMX in treating severe Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (1966-2003).
  • Inclusion of case reports, case series, and clinical studies.
  • Focused search on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests TMP/SMX may be effective in treating S. aureus infections.
  • Efficacy is indicated for infections with low bacterial burdens and susceptible strains.
  • TMP/SMX demonstrates potential as an alternative to vancomycin in specific scenarios.

Conclusions:

  • TMP/SMX can be a viable alternative to vancomycin for select severe S. aureus infections.
  • Further randomized controlled trials are recommended to compare TMP/SMX with vancomycin and linezolid.
  • This evaluation highlights the potential of TMP/SMX in Staphylococcus aureus treatment strategies.

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