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. 2006 Nov;92(11):1694–1700. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2005.072595

Table 3 Antibiotic treatment for staphylococcal infective endocarditis (IE).

No allergy to penicillin Allergy to penicillin Duration
Drug Dosage Drug Dosage
Native valve IE
Oxa‐S strain Oxacillin† 150–200 mg/kg/d Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d 4–6 weeks (5 days combination)
+ gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d or cefamandole** 75–100 mg/kg/d
+ gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d
Oxa‐R strain Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d 4–6 weeks (5 days combination)
± gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d ± gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d
Prosthetic valve IE*
Oxa‐S strain Oxacillin† 150–200 mg/kg/d Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d ⩾6 weeks combination (aminoglycoside no longer than 15 days)
+ gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d + gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d
+ rifampicin 20–30 mg/kg/d + rifampicin 20–30 mg/kg/d
Oxa‐R, genta‐S strain Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d ⩾6 weeks combination (aminoglycoside no longer than 15 days)
+ rifampicin 20–30 mg/kg/d + rifampicin 20–30 mg/kg/d
+ gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d + gentamicin‡ 3 mg/kg/d
Oxa‐R, genta‐R strain Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d Vancomycin§ 30 mg/kg/d ⩾6 weeks combination
+ rifampicin¶ 20–30 mg/kg/d + rifampicin¶ 20–30 mg/kg/d
+ other antistaphylococccal drug, if available + other antistaphylococccal drug, if available

*Valve replacement should be considered, inasmuch as IE develops early after valve implantation.

†Other choices: cloxacillin 100–150 mg/kg/d; cefamandole 75–100 mg/kg/d.

‡Other choice: netilmicin (5–6 mg/kg/d).

§Other choice: teicoplanin, target serum trough concentrations 25–30 mg/l.

¶If strain resistant to rifampicin, combine vancomycin with one or two other antistaphylococcal drugs, according to susceptibility pattern.

**The use of a cephalosporin is not recommended in patients with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin.

oxa, oxacillin; R, resistant; S, susceptible.