Concentrations of vancomycin in bone and serum of normal rabbits and those with osteomyelitis

The concentrations of vancomycin in the bone and serum of rabbits with Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis were assessed after each rabbit was given a single dose of vancomycin. Simultaneous mean concentrations of vancomycin in infected rabbits 1 h after administration of the antibiotic were 36.4 +/- 4.6 micrograms/ml (serum), 5.3 +/- 0.8 microgram/g (infected bone), and 3.0 +/- 0.2 micrograms/g (noninfected bone). Concentrations of vancomycin in serum of normal controls were higher than concentrations of vancomycin in serum of osteomyelitic rabbits after 1, 2, 3, and 6 h.