Treatment of bone and joint infection with teicoplanin: A retrospective analysis of 50 cases

The effectiveness and safety of teicoplanin, 400 mg/day, in combination with other antibiotics in the treatment of bone and joint infections was examined in a retrospective review of 50 cases (most commonly sepsis, osteitis and septic arthritis) treated at one hospital between 1988 and 1994. Previous antibiotic treatment had failed in 36 cases. Patients received teicoplanin and 1-3 concurrent antibiotics for 4-141 days; 35 patients then received further antibiotics. Clinical success was recorded in 46 cases, with two failures and two non-evaluable outcomes. Bacteriological eradication was achieved in 43 cases. There was one recurrence at 8 months, which was successfully treated with teicoplanin. Five patients showed adverse reactions: but discontinuation of teicoplanin treatment was not necessary.