We analyzed the efficacy of
arbekacin (ABK) using monotherapy or combined
therapy on deep MRSA
infection to find the most adequate usage of the
drug. We also followed-up the isolation incidence of MRSA after the end of
chemotherapy. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Clinical efficacy of ABK on 29
pneumonia and 3
septicemia due to MRSA was 42.9% in ABK monotherapy (9 patients), 62.5% in combined
therapy with ABK and
minocycline (9 patients), 100% with ABK and
imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) (7 patients), and 100% with ABK and other drugs (7 patients). 2. As for microbiological efficacy, combined
therapy with ABK and IPM/CS or other
drug was superior to other methods. Among patients from whom two or more species of bacteria were isolated, causative bacteria persisted in many cases, and some replacements occurred. 3. Kidney functions deteriorated in two patients that underwent monotherapy or combined
therapy with ABK and IPM/CS, but they recovered when
therapy was completed the completion. 4. In the three month follow-up study after ABK
therapy, we found four cases of renewed
infections after disappearance of MRSA. When just decreases in the number of MRSA resulted upon the
chemotherapy, the relapse occurred in all cases. 5. Above results indicate that ABK is effective in MRSA
infection, and combined
therapy with
beta-lactams is superior to other methods in serious MRSA
infections. We also suggest that
chemotherapy should be continued until the complete disappearance of MRSA is achieved.