Duration of Antimicrobial Therapy for Infected Orthopedic Implants

Study finds that 4-week treatment of hardware-associated osteomyelitis may suffice.

Treatment duration paradigms for various infectious diseases were established decades ago based on fairly arbitrary expert judgment and treatment of early cases. Now, when antibiotic resistance threatens the durability of our available agents, re-evaluation of shorter courses is warranted to reduce antibiotic selection pressure, adverse effects, and treatment costs.

Researchers performed an unblinded, randomized clinical trial comparing 4 versus 6 weeks of systemic targeted antimicrobial therapy in 123 patients (median age, 64; 31% immunocompromised; 10% bacteremic). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen (37%). Surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapy were employed similarly in both groups. After a median follow-up of 2.2 …

Reviewing Author

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases