News: New antibiotic shows promise in treating staph infections, report suggests

A two-dose antibiotic treatment can be just as effective as long-term IV therapy for treating patients diagnosed with staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, according to a report published in JAMA Network Open.

The report examined 200 patients with severe staph infections, randomly assigning them either the standard IV treatment or two doses of dalbavancin. The patients were then examined over the course of 70 days, the American Hospital Association (AHA) reported.

Of the 200 participants examined, the mean age was 56, 31% were female, and 84% survived to day 70. “Serious adverse events” were observed in 40% of the dalbavancin patients and 34% of the standard therapy patients, according to the report.

According to the AHA, “dalbavancin performed equally well in curing infections,” had “slightly fewer side effects,” and “reduced the need for home health visits, lab monitoring and risks associated with peripherally inserted central catheter lines.”

However, while the dalbavancin showed promise, the researchers noted important limitations.

“Among adult participants with complicated S aureus bacteremia who achieved blood culture clearance, dalbavancin was not superior to standard therapy by desirability of outcome ranking. When considered with other efficacy and safety outcomes these findings may help inform use of dalbavancin in clinical practice,” the authors noted.

Editor’s note: To read the AHA coverage, click here. To read the JAMA Network Open report, click here.