Complicated skin and soft tissue infections: literature review of evidence for and experience with daptomycin

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the second most common infection encountered in hospitals. Management decisions have become increasingly complex due to the prevalence of resistant pathogens, the wide array of licensed antimicrobials and the availability of potent oral agents and of out-patient parenteral antibiotic therapy. Daptomycin is one of the newer therapeutic agents licensed for complex SSTI management. Rapid cidality, good soft tissue penetration, once daily IV bolus administration and activity against resistant Gram-positive infections make daptomycin an attractive option both in hospitalized and community treated patients. A comprehensive review of the evidence for and experience with daptomycin and its use in SSTIs is presented.