Daptomycin treatment in patients with resistant staphylococcal periprosthetic joint infection 

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication related to significant morbidity, mortality, and medical costs [1]. The incidence of PJI has been reported to be around 0.5% to 1.0% for hip replacement cases and 0.5% to 2% for knee replacements [2]. The pathogenesis of PJI is mainly attributable to the formation of a biofilm caused by microorganisms attaching to the surface of the involved prosthesis, the biofilm being resistant to host defences and antimicrobial agents [3]. Once a biofilm has become established, the difficulty of successful treatment is increased, and removal of the involved prosthesis is necessary in chronic cases [4]. Treatment of PJI is based upon the period during which microorganisms are attached to the prosthetic joint and the formation of an organized biofilm that is attached to the implant [5]. In chronic cases lasting more than 4 weeks, a two-stage reimplantation is the gold standard procedure worldwide [6]; with regards to acute cases lasting fewer than 4 weeks, emergency debridement with exchange of polyethylene and prosthesis retention is an acceptable alternative treatment [7]. The most important strategy for the treatment of either type of PJI is to combine adequate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci) is the leading microorganism in PJI [8]. Furthermore, the incidence rate of PJI caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococci is a rising concern [9]. Patients with resistant staphylococcal PJI are often treated with a glycopeptide such as vancomycin or teicoplanin. Higher treatment failure was noted when intravenous vancomycin had been administered in cases of resistant staphylococcal PJI with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) > 1.5 mg/L [10, 11].

Daptomycin is a newer option for the treatment of PJI owing to its excellent bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria, especially MDR strains [12]. The modest advantage of daptomycin over other drugs reflects the presence of a higher fraction of surface or near-surface organisms in an in vitro model; these organisms would be expected to be remain susceptible to the rapid cidal activity of daptomycin [13]. Furthermore, daptomycin penetrates bone effectively and disrupts multiple bacterial plasma membrane functions without penetrating the cytoplasm [14]. The clinical efficacy and safety of daptomycin have been proven in patients with renal impairment, especially patients with vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity [15]. However, few studies have investigated daptomycin as a possible option for the treatment of resistant staphylococcal PJI [16, 17]. We believe daptomycin to be effective and well-tolerated in patients with PJI caused by resistant staphylococcal organisms. The study aimed to review clinical practice in terms of daptomycin treatment, with specific emphasis on its clinical outcome, safety, and tolerability in patients with resistant staphylococcal PJI.

We retrospectively enrolled patients with hip or knee PJI who were treated with daptomycin in our institute from January 2013 to December 2014 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. We recorded patient demographics, comorbidities, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [18], the location of the prosthesis, type of PJI, surgical methods, microbiological results, dosages and treatment duration, in addition to the reason for daptomycin treatment, its side effects and clinical efficacy. All patients were classified based on the Tsukayama classification [5], which categorizes PJI according to the duration from prosthesis implantation.

Standard protocols for PJI treatment were adopted. For type II and type III acute infection, urgent surgical debridement with exchange of mobile parts and prosthesis retention were performed, followed by systemic antibiotic therapy for 4−6 weeks. In type IV chronic infection, a two-stage reimplantation protocol was adopted as previously described [19]. In the first stage, the operative procedure included removal of the implant, aggressive debridement of the joint and insertion of a high-dose, antibiotic-loaded cement spacer or beads for topical antibiotic delivery. To effectively target the causative pathogen and deliver antibiotic treatment, joint synovial fluid was collected in a blood culture bottle, in addition to 3 to 4 sets of tissue cultures. The causative microorganism was confirmed if at least two positive samples of the same microorganism were identified or matched to blood, joint synovial fluid, or tissue culture. After the culture results were known, an infectious disease specialist was consulted to recommend appropriate antibiotics.

Daptomycin was indicated if the patient’s condition met any one of the following criteria: glycopeptide antibiotics could not be used due to resistance or any adverse reaction such as allergy or phlebitis; vancomycin MIC > 1.5 mg/L; previous treatment failure with intravenous glycopeptide; empirical therapy in cases of suspected MDR Gram-positive cocci PJI; and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 or worse (eGFR < 60 mL∕min∕1.73m²) [16]. Daptomycin treatment in every case was initiated after consultation with infectious disease specialists, and the dosage and duration were also based on specialist guidance. Based on the recent Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines and clinical reports [16, 17, 20], daptomycin may be administered as an alternative option to manage resistant staphylococcal PJI at a dose ≥ 6 mg/kg per day. In patients with advanced renal insufficiency (stage 4 or worse), daptomycin should be administered every 48 h [21].

All patients had received oral antibiotics following parenteral antibiotics after discharge. The median period of oral antibiotic treatment after discharge was 35 days (range: 6−65 days). The oral antibiotic combinations included sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and rifampin or fusidic acid and rifampicin. The criteria for reimplantation surgery included a reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), return to near-normal C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and a satisfactory wound status. All reimplantations were performed after a 2-week antibiotic holiday without elevation of ESR and CRP. After prophylaxis with intravenous 1 g vancomycin, new prostheses were reimplanted with 1 g daptomycin in a pack of 40 g of bone cement [Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, New Jersey] for knee or hip prosthesis fixation if cement fixation was needed in the second stage. After reimplantation, the patients received systemic antibiotics until the intraoperative culture results showed negative finding. No further oral antibiotics were administered after discharge.

A successful clinical outcome after daptomycin therapy was defined as resolution of clinical signs and symptoms and/or no prolonged suppressive oral antibiotic treatment, and CRP and ESR levels that had returned to the normal range at the last follow-up. Failure was defined as an inadequate response to therapy, worsening or new/recurrent signs and symptoms, the need for a change of parenteral antibiotic therapy or prolonged suppressive oral antibiotic treatment, a positive culture at the end of therapy, or the requirement for re-operation [22]. Prolonged suppressive oral antibiotic treatment was defined as oral antibiotic therapy prescribed for a duration longer than 6 months [23]. Patients were assessed weekly for daptomycin adverse effects following initiation of daptomycin treatment, including serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), liver enzymes, and other associated blood parameters. Other adverse effects, including low blood pressure, high blood pressure, swelling, insomnia, rash, diarrhea, abdominal pain, eosinophilia and eosinophilic pneumonia, dyspnea, fever, hypersensitivity, myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, were also monitored.

Sixteen patients were treated with daptomycin for resistant staphylococcal PJI during the study period and completed follow-up for at least 2 years; one patient was excluded due to loss to follow-up within 6 months. The median age of the 16 patients was 66.5 years (range: 52−86 years). The types of infection were as follows: 5 patients with acute infection (type II and III) who had received surgical debridement and implant retention; and 11 patients with chronic infection (type IV) who had received two-stage reimplantation (Table 1). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for 62.5%, and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCoNS) for 37.5%. The reasons for using daptomycin included vancomycin MIC > 1.5 mg∕L in 1 case, previous glycopeptide failure in 2 cases, impaired renal function in 2 cases, empirical treatment in 4 cases, and adverse effects such as phlebitis or allergy in 7 cases (Table 2). Daptomycin was administered at a dose range of 3.3−10.6 mg/kg per day according to the infectious disease specialists’ suggestions. The median dosage of daptomycin was 8.3 mg/kg per day, and the median treatment duration was 14 days (Table 2). Debridement and prosthesis retention in the acute infection group was successful in 4 cases (80%) but failed in 1 case (20%), while a two-stage surgical protocol for chronic PJI was successful in 11 cases (91%) but failed in 1 case (9%) (Table 2).

Among the 16 patients, one developed asymptomatic transient elevation of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) level during the treatment course (Patient 06). In this patient, the AST level elevated from 55 U∕L at baseline to 108 U∕L on day 3 of daptomycin treatment, but rapidly normalized on day 6, while no specific complaint or discomfort was noted, and the ALT and CPK levels were within the normal ranges. No other adverse effects such as eosinophilic pneumonia, massive rhabdomyolysis or acute renal failure were reported in our series.

In two of 4 patients (50%) who underwent empirical daptomycin treatment for suspected MDR Gram-positive cocci PJI after discussion with an infectious disease specialist, treatment failed eventually. One (Patient 15) was a 65-year-old male who developed acute left knee PJI caused by MRSA during the 2 weeks after primary total knee replacement and underwent an urgent debridement operation. After the operation, we initiated daptomycin therapy (8.3 mg∕kg per day). The patient’s CRP and ESR levels remained high after 3 weeks, and left knee synovial fluid examination revealed a high leukocyte count and positive culture results. Thus, a second debridement was performed, and a teicoplanin regimen was implemented for approximately 6 weeks, which was then shifted to oral antibiotics for 3 weeks until the CRP and ESR levels reached the normal ranges. Finally, the patient recovered well, and no recurrent infection occurred during a 34-month follow-up period. The other case of treatment failure (Patient 10) was a 60-year-old male patient who underwent resection arthroplasty of the left hip for chronic PJI. After the surgery, daptomycin therapy (6.3 mg∕kg per day) was instigated, but persistently high CRP and ESR levels with left thigh erythema and pus discharge were noted after 21 days of daptomycin therapy. The treatment was shifted to teicoplanin, and several debridements were performed. After a six-month follow-up period, the patient’s clinical symptoms had improved, and the CRP and ESR levels had reached the normal ranges. Thus, reimplantation surgery was performed, and no recurrent infection occurred within a 24-month follow-up period.

Vancomycin has been considered the first choice parenteral antibiotic for the treatment of resistant staphylococcal PJI [4]; however, vancomycin has not been demonstrated to result in a favorable outcome in patients with methicillin-resistant staphylococcal PJI [24]. Furthermore, a risk of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in the population with chronic kidney disease has also been reported [25]. In a recent meta-analysis study related to MRSA-infected patients, high vancomycin trough levels were recognized as an independent factor associated with risk of nephrotoxicity [26]. For the above reasons, vancomycin is not optimal for the treatment of resistant staphylococcal PJI in patients with CKD. Daptomycin is indicated when vancomycin or teicoplanin cannot be used due to intolerance, allergy, or previous treatment failure, or in patients with poor renal function. In our study, two patients with CKD were successfully treated with daptomycin without acute kidney injury. Daptomycin, at a median dose of 6.0 mg∕kg administered every 24 h or 48 h, showed efficacy and safety in patients with renal impairment [15]. In this study, daptomycin therapy was administered in more than 50% of patients due to baseline renal impairment from prior vancomycin exposure. The authors concluded that daptomycin is a safe and effective therapeutic agent for use in patients with renal impairment for whom previous treatment had failed or in those who cannot tolerate vancomycin.

There were some limitations of our study. First, the lack of randomized comparative information limited the clinical results. Second, the data pool was too small to obtain statistically-significant results. Third, in chronic infection cases, the component of antibiotic-loaded cement spacer or beads used was not the same in each case. Fourth, the duration of oral antibiotic therapy following parenteral antibiotics varied in this study in the first stage, and postoperative oral antibiotics were not prescribed after reimplantation. Oral antibiotics can effectively suppress manifestations of residual infection, and some studies have suggested that postoperative oral antibiotics can effectively reduce the reinfection rate following two-stage revision arthroplasty [27]. Finally, we did not provide information regarding the drugs or the concentrations of antibiotic-impregnated cement routinely used in the two-stage procedure.

The overall success rate of treatment of resistant PJI in this study was 87.5%. In the subgroup of acute PJI cases, treatment with daptomycin, debridement and prosthesis retention was successful in 80% of patients, and for chronic cases, the success rate increased to 91%. The success rate of daptomycin treatment for PJI has varied greatly among different reports in the literature, from 54.5% to 78.6% (Table 3) [16, 17, 21, 28, 29]. The reason for this variability may be related to an inadequate dosage of daptomycin prescribed in some studies. For example, Rao et al. used daptomycin at a median dosage of 4 mg∕kg per day in 11 cases, and achieved a lower success rate of 54.5% [21]. Antony et al. reported a 38% success rate among patients treated with 4 mg∕kg per 24 or 48 h as compared with a 77% success rate among patients who received daptomycin at 6 mg∕kg per day [26]. Byren et al. [17] used daptomycin at 6 or 8 mg∕kg per day for 6 weeks in a randomized trial during the two-stage reimplantation process, and found that the higher-dose group (8 mg∕kg per day) exhibited a higher treatment success rate than the lower-dose (6 mg∕kg per day) group. Other clinical studies also supported the efficacy and safety of higher daptomycin doses up to 8 mg∕kg per day or more [30, 31]. In our study, patients who received an adequate dosage of daptomycin with suitable surgical intervention for the treatment of PJI (median dosage of 8.3 mg∕kg per day) had successful outcomes. However, in 50% of patients (2 of 4) in whom treatment failed when daptomycin was administered for empirical reasons, following shifting to teicoplanin therapy, success was achieved. This would seem to suggest that daptomycin is problematic as a first-line treatment, and that the treatment outcome may be impacted by the initial antibiotic, multiple surgical procedures, and further oral therapy. We believe that daptomycin cannot replace glycopeptide for the treatment of resistant staphylococcal PJI, but it is an option worthy of consideration.

Daptomycin has been reported to be well-tolerated in several clinical trials with a wide therapeutic dosage window. However, it can occasionally cause adverse effects, such as elevation of liver enzyme and CPK levels, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure [32]. In addition, concomitant use of daptomycin and statins carries concern regarding potential synergistic musculoskeletal toxicity [33]. The adverse effects are fewer if a shorter course of systemic daptomycin is prescribed [19]. Regular monitoring of serum creatine and CPK levels along with symptoms of myopathy would be a useful strategy in patients receiving daptomycin treatment. In our short patient series, we observed one case of asymptomatic AST elevation judged as directly associated with daptomycin administration at a dosage of 10.6 mg∕kg per day, as the patient was not taking statins or any medication related to the side effect of myositis (Patient 6). In this patient, the AST level normalized rapidly, and clinically-acceptable tolerability to daptomycin was observed. Otherwise, no eosinophilic pneumonia was noted in our patients, but we are aware that this is a potentially deadly complication if not well-managed.

To date, the development of resistance to daptomycin of Staphylococcus aureus has been a concern. A number of factors are associated with loss of daptomycin susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus. A recent review identified 62 clinical cases in 36 case reports in which daptomycin resistance was observed. In that review, 40 cases occurred after glycopeptide therapy and 15 after vancomycin and/or daptomycin therapy [34]. Another study demonstrated that under a daptomycin dose of <6 mg/kg per day, previous use of teicoplanin and a longer treatment duration were potential risk factors for decreased susceptibility to daptomycin [35]. The mechanism might be due to alterations of the bacterial cell membrane and cell wall [36].

In our practice, daptomycin combined with suitable surgical intervention had a high success rate in treating resistant staphylococcal PJI. Daptomycin could be a treatment option for patients with these infections, especially in those with chronic kidney disease or intolerance to glycopeptide antibiotics. Further prospective randomized comparative study is needed in the future. Otherwise, we should pay attention to potential serious adverse events and monitor the serum liver enzyme and CPK levels closely.