A Dalbavancin for Successful Treatment of Infective Endocarditis Caused by Enterococcus faecalis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Infective endocarditis (IE) diagnosis can be delayed due to its uncommon nature and need for high clinical suspicion.
• Traditional IE treatment involves prolonged intravenous antibiotics, often necessitating lengthy hospitalizations.
• Enterococcus faecalis is a causative agent of IE that can be challenging to treat.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of successful treatment of Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis using dalbavancin.
• To highlight the potential of dalbavancin in managing IE, enabling outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT).

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was used.
• Treatment involved the administration of dalbavancin, a novel lipoglycopeptide antibiotic.
• Patient management focused on achieving successful treatment outcomes for IE.

Main Results:

• Successful treatment of IE caused by Enterococcus faecalis with dalbavancin was achieved.
• Dalbavancin's weekly administration facilitated outpatient management.
• This case adds to the limited literature on dalbavancin use for E. faecalis endocarditis.

Conclusions:

• Dalbavancin is effective against Gram-positive pathogens, including Enterococcus faecalis.
• Weekly dalbavancin administration supports OPAT for IE, reducing the need for prolonged hospital stays.
• There is increasing evidence supporting the ambulatory treatment of Gram-positive cocci endovascular infections with dalbavancin.