Successful treatment of right-sided native valve methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis and septicaemia with teicoplanin and rifampicin: a case report

Scand J Infect Dis. 2012 Jul;44(7):544-7. doi: 10.3109/00365548.2012.657233. Epub 2012 Mar 4.

Abstract

Vancomycin is the drug of choice in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. However, the presence of certain clinical complications like renal failure alters vancomycin pharmacokinetics, leading to drug accumulation and toxicity. This highlights the need to identify an effective substitute for treating MRSA infections when vancomycin cannot be used. We report the case of a 57-y-old Indian male diagnosed with tricuspid valve endocarditis with septicaemia and a right upper lobe cavity caused by MRSA. The patient also presented with renal failure, which precluded the use of vancomycin for treatment. A 6-week regimen of teicoplanin and rifampicin was used instead, and the infection was successfully treated. This case report provides evidence of the effectiveness of teicoplanin and rifampicin in the treatment of MRSA bacteraemia in situations where the use of vancomycin is contraindicated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Humans
  • India
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Insufficiency / complications
  • Rifampin / administration & dosage*
  • Sepsis / complications
  • Sepsis / drug therapy*
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Teicoplanin / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Teicoplanin
  • Rifampin