The results of an ARLG study, Dalbavancin as an Option for Treatment of S. aureus Bacteremia (DOTS), were recently published in JAMA.

In this study, researchers compared the safety and efficacy of dalbavancin to the standard of care in treating patients with complicated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections. Antibiotics for serious S. aureus infections are typically delivered over 4-6 weeks through a central catheter, or PICC line, that requires specialized care and may lead to other complications like additional infections. Results indicate that dalbavancin, delivered in two doses one week apart, can be as effective as the standard of care while avoiding the potential risks associated with a PICC line. These findings are significant because better, safer treatments are needed for S. aureus bloodstream infections, which are common in hospitals and can be deadly.

To learn more about these important findings to improve patient outcomes for antibiotic-resistant infections, read the DOTS summary of results, listen to the JAMA Author Interviews podcast, and check out the Duke Health press release.