Beta-lactams versus glycopeptides in treatment of subcutaneous abscesses infected with Staphylococcus aureus.

The antibacterial efficacies of the beta-lactam antibiotics nafcillin and cefazolin were compared with those of the glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin in rats with subcutaneous abscesses infected with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Animals were treated with antibiotics or diluent for 3 or 7 days. Rats receiving any antibiotic treatment, with the exception of teicoplanin-treated animals at day 7, had lower bacterial counts in their abscesses than did controls at days 3 and 7. Rats in the nafcillin and cefazolin treatment groups had lower bacterial counts in their abscesses than did rats in the vancomycin and teicoplanin treatment groups at days 3 and 7. The beta-lactam antibiotics were more effective therapy than the glycopeptide antibiotics in rats with subcutaneous abscesses infected with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. In vitro, animal, and clinical data comparing beta-lactam and glycopeptide treatment of S. aureus infections were reviewed along with the resulting treatment recommendations.