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Infections due to gram-positive organisms in children: possible role for teicoplanin
R Dagan1, M Einhorn, C B Howard
1Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Insights
Teicoplanin shows over 90% efficacy in treating serious Gram-positive bacterial infections in children, including those resistant to beta-lactams. Further comparative studies are needed to confirm its potential in pediatric ambulatory care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Antimicrobial therapy
- Hospital-acquired infections
Background:
- Nosocomial infections and hospitalization costs in children necessitate ambulatory care options.
- Increasing prevalence of beta-lactam resistant Gram-positive organisms in pediatric infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Teicoplanin as a treatment for serious Gram-positive infections in pediatric patients.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of Teicoplanin in both hospital and ambulatory settings for children.
Main Methods:
- Teicoplanin administered intramuscularly or intravenously (once or twice daily) at 3-10 mg/kg.
- Treatment of over 200 pediatric patients with various infections.
- Clinical efficacy and safety monitoring.
Main Results:
- Clinical efficacy exceeded 90% across treated pediatric patients.
- Teicoplanin demonstrated safety in the pediatric population.
- Main diagnoses included skin/soft tissue infections, skeletal infections, and septicemia.
Conclusions:
- Teicoplanin is a potentially suitable option for treating serious Gram-positive infections in pediatric patients.
- The drug exhibits favorable safety and high clinical efficacy.
- Further comparative studies are recommended to fully establish Teicoplanin's role in pediatric care.
Abstract:
The disruptive effect on, and potentially hazardous exposure to nosocomial infection, together with the relative cost of hospitalization, of children favours the need for ambulatory care. An increasing proportion of infections in children are due to beta-lactam resistant Gram-positive organisms. Teicoplanin is proposed as a suitable candidate for treating paediatric patients with serious Gram-positive infections in hospital or ambulatory care. The experience acquired in children is still limited. However, over 200 paediatric patients have been treated with once or twice daily im or iv teicoplanin in daily doses of 3-10 mg/kg. The main clinical diagnoses were skin and soft tissue infections, skeletal infections and septicaemia. The drug was safe and clinical efficacy was greater than 90%. Comparative studies with defined uniform protocols are now required to assess the potential of this drug.