Safety and efficacy of daptomycin for the treatment of hospitalized adult patients in Taiwan with severe staphylococcal infections

Background and PurposeThe safety and efficacy of treating serious infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus with daptomycin in a Taiwanese population were studied.MethodsA retrospective, multicenter study was performed in Taiwan between December 2007 and June 2009. This study included adult hospitalized patients who had received intravenous daptomycin therapy for infections caused by S aureus. All patients were followed until discharge from the hospital or death.ResultsA total of 52 patients (males, n = 44; median age: 62 years) were evaluated. Infections included complicated skin and soft-tissue infections (n = 14), catheter-related bacteremia (n = 14), osteomyelitis and septic arthritis (n = 12), endovascular infections and endocarditis (n = 11), and urinary tract infections (n = 1). Overall, 47 (90.4%) patients were successfully treated and their clinical symptoms were resolved. Adverse effects related to daptomycin were detected in nine patients, but none were required to discontinue daptomycin.ConclusionThe results support daptomycin as an effective and safe treatment for staphylococcal infections in Taiwanese populations.