Vancomycin for staphylococcal shunt site infections in patients on regular haemodialysis.

Six anuric patients with Scribner shunt site infections were treated by intermittent infusion of vancomycin into the shunt, and a satisfactory clinical response was obtained in five. Serum levels of the antibiotic were estimated frequently. From estimating serum levels and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin for a range of hospital staphylococci a dose of 1g. vancomycin every seven days is recommended as a suitable schedule for treating staphylococcal infection in this situation.