Khasawneh, FaisalA.; Ashcraft, Deborah S.; Pankey, George A.
Abstract
Objectives: To test for synergy between daptomycin (DAP) and rifampin (RIF) against RIF-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates.; Methods: Synergy testing using time-kill assay (TKA) was performed on 6 clinically, and genetically unique RIF-resistant MRSA isolates. The isolates were identified out of 489 (1.2%) samples collected during April 2003 to August 2006, from patients at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.; Results: Synergy testing of DAP plus RIF by TKA showed that 5 isolates were indifferent, but one isolate was antagonistic.; Conclusion: Our in vitro study failed to demonstrate synergy between DAP plus RIF, against our RIF-resistant MRSA isolates. Clinical failure of this combination should prompt the clinician to consider antagonism, as one of the potential causes.