Fusidic acid in orthopaedic infections due to coagulase-negative staphylococci

Twenty orthopaedic in-patients who developed an acute infection due to coagulase-negative staphylococci, and which was associated with a foreign body in 11 cases, were treated with fusidic acid. All patients were given oral medication, except for 1 child with acute osteomyelitis who was treated intravenously for the first 7 days. The mean daily dose was 21 mg/kg and the mean duration of treatment 20 days. Fusidic acid was given alone in 5 patients and concurrently with another antibiotic in the other 15 patients. All patients responded satisfactorily with resolution of the relevant signs and symptoms, although 1 patient relapsed subsequently. Mild side-effects were observed in 3 patients.