Dalbavancin for prosthetic joint infections: Empirical treatment

Bone and joint infections are complex and require a long course of antibiotics. Dalbavancin is a long half-life lipoglycopeptide, only indicated for skin and soft tissue infections. Studies on bone and joint diffusion are promising. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dalbavancin in combination with piperacillin-tazobactam for intra-operative treatment of knee or hip prosthetic joint infections.

This retrospective and bicentric study was conducted between 2018 and 2022 and included 56 patients. The criteria used to diagnose prosthetic joint infections were those established in 2011 by the MusculoSkeletal Infection Society (MSIS), modified in 2013 at the International Consensus Meeting on Periprosthetic Joint Infections. The efficacy endpoint was the absence of relapse during the two-year follow-up period.

Gram-positive cocci infections were the most common. All Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to dalbavancin. The cure rate at two years was 91.5%. Only four patients experienced treatment failure. Few adverse events were reported, mainly digestive ones (diarrhea and pain).

This study provides data outside of the marketing authorization, while respecting the authorized dosage in a population of patients with clearly defined inclusion criteria and a two-year follow-up.