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Vancomycin for treatment of invasive, multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections

Scott D Pope1, Andrew M Roecker

  • 1Premier, Inc., 2320 Cascade Point Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28266, USA. scott_pope@premierinc.com

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus infections are rising, with increasing antimicrobial resistance. Vancomycin is a key treatment, but emerging resistance and clinical challenges necessitate a review of its use.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of serious and hospital-acquired infections.
  • Increasing antimicrobial resistance in S. aureus has been observed over the past 60 years.
  • Vancomycin has been the primary treatment for infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical application of vancomycin for Staphylococcus aureus infections.
  • To address emerging vancomycin resistance and associated clinical challenges.
  • To discuss the ongoing role of vancomycin in treating resistant staphylococcal infections.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes current literature on Staphylococcus aureus resistance patterns.
  • It examines the clinical efficacy and limitations of vancomycin therapy.
  • The review discusses issues including dosing, administration, monitoring, and adverse effects.

Main Results:

  • Clinical strains of S. aureus exhibiting intermediate and full resistance to vancomycin have been reported since 1996 and 2002, respectively.
  • Despite resistance, vancomycin remains a crucial agent for MRSA infections.
  • Challenges include dosing requirements, intravenous administration, monitoring, modest efficacy, and adverse effects.

Conclusions:

  • Vancomycin is critical for treating MRSA, but its effectiveness is challenged by increasing resistance.
  • Clinical use requires careful consideration of dosing, monitoring, and potential adverse events.
  • Further strategies are needed to optimize vancomycin therapy and manage resistant S. aureus strains.

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