Vancomycin for MRSA Pneumonia

In patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, mortality was correlated with the pathogen's vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). Vancomycin has been the principal antibiotic for treating such infections; however, growth in use of this drug has given rise to MRSA strains with increased vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Whether higher vancomycin MICs within the “susceptible” range are of clinical relevance is unclear.

In a recent industry-funded study, researchers at four university medical centers in the U.S. investigated the effect of vancomycin MICs on survival in critically ill adults treated with vancomycin for MRSA HCAP. Vancomycin was dosed to attain optimal trough levels (15–20 µg/mL).

The 158 participants had a mean vancomycin trough …

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Vancomycin for MRSA Pneumonia

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Reviewing Author