In vitro activity of mupirocin and amoxicillin-clavulanate alone and in combination against staphylococci including those resistant to methicillin.

Mupirocin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were synergistic against 9 of 49 (18%) strains of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). A pattern of enhanced killing was also found using time-kill studies. Time-kill assays were more discriminatory than chequerboard titration assays in demonstrating synergy. These results suggest that combinations of amoxicillin-clavulanate and mupirocin may have therapeutic benefits in prophylaxis against staphylococcal infections.