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Published on: January 22, 2021
Levofloxacin does not decrease mortality in Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia when added to the standard treatment: a
E Ruotsalainen1, A Järvinen, I Koivula
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. eeva.ruotsalainen@hus.fi
Adding levofloxacin to standard treatment for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia did not improve survival or reduce complications. Rifampicin showed a significant survival benefit for patients with deep infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is associated with high mortality and complication rates.
- Standard treatment regimens may not be sufficient to overcome these adverse outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of levofloxacin as an adjunct to standard treatment for SAB.
- To determine if levofloxacin reduces mortality and complication rates in SAB patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized multicentre trial involving 381 adult patients with SAB.
- Patients received standard treatment (semisynthetic penicillin) or standard treatment plus levofloxacin.
- Exclusion criteria included meningitis and fluoroquinolone- or methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
Main Results:
- Levofloxacin addition did not improve 28-day or 3-month survival rates.
- No significant differences were observed in complication rates, time to defervescence, or antibiotic treatment duration.
- Rifampicin use in patients with deep infections was associated with significantly lower case fatality rates (17% vs. 38%).
Conclusions:
- Levofloxacin combined with standard treatment does not decrease mortality or deep infections in SAB.
- Deep infections in SAB may be more prevalent than previously reported.
- Rifampicin appears beneficial in managing deep S. aureus infections.
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