Case Report

Endocarditis due to Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in an Immunocompromised Patient: Cure by Administering Combination Therapy with Quinupristin/Dalfopristin and High-dose Ampicillin

Authors: Robert L. Thompson, MD, Bruce Lavin, MD, George H. Talbot, MD

Abstract

A 56-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and cadaveric renal transplantation had vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium tricuspid valve endocarditis. Relapse followed 6 weeks of treatment with intravenous gentamicin and high-dose ampicillin. On the basis of previous data suggesting the potential for synergistic activity of quinupristin/dalfopristin plus high-dose ampicillin, therapy with this combination was administered for 63 days. Cure was achieved and later confirmed at 2-year follow-up.

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