Efficacy of topical mupirocin against an experimental Staphylococcus aureus surgical wound infection.

The efficacy of topically-applied mupirocin was evaluated against an experimental surgical staphylococcal wound infection in the guinea-pig. A suture impregnated with Staphylococcus aureus was inserted into a superficial wound, and topical therapy with mupirocin ointment was started 24 h after infection. In non-treated wounds, the bacterial counts increased to greater than 10(6) organisms/wound in the majority of animals at 24 h, remaining at this level for up to seven days. Therapy with placebo ointment (polyethylene glycol base) was ineffective, whereas twice daily application of mupirocin ointment resulted in elimination of the staphylococci. Mupirocin was as effective as topically-applied fusidic acid cream in reducing the bacterial counts of infected wounds.