Bacteriological relevance of linezolid versus vancomycin in postoperative empirical treatment of osteoarticular infections: a retrospective single-center study

Staphylococci remain the most frequent bacteria recovered and involved in osteoarticular infections [1]. Before the accurate and definitive bacteriological identification, vancomycin a glycopeptide antibiotic is widely used as a first-line empirical antibiotic treatment in the immediate postoperative period, usually in combination with piperacillin-tazobactam or a 3rd generation cephalosporin, to be active both on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria [2]. However, its use has several limitations - venous toxicity requiring a central line, narrow therapeutic index necessitating a close monitoring of serum concentrations and renal function - so that despite a low price, its use proves to be expensive because of nursing time, pharmacological dosages, central line care and an extended length of hospital stay [3].
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research