Teicoplanin for Patients Allergic to Vancomycin

Abstract

To the Editor: Teicoplanin is a new glycopeptidic antibiotic, similar to vancomycin; it interferes with cell-wall synthesis and is effective in the treatment of methicillin-resistant strains of staphylococci. It is not clear whether teicoplanin can be administered safely to patients who are allergic to vancomycin. Data from previous reports^{1 , 2} and the two case reports we present below are in conflict.A 50-year-old man with chronic renal failure treated with long-term hemodialysis presented with severe staphylococcal sepsis and acute aortic endocarditis. Treatment was started with vancomycin plus amikacin. The patient then underwent emergency aortic-valve replacement because of left ventricular failure. The . . .