Clinical Applications cont.
Staph endocarditis - Dodek et al. looked at treating S. aureus endocarditis in pts. with PCN allergy. CID. 1999. - Examined the expected utility of abx. tx versus the cost of tx. - Pts. with a hx of immediate type PCN allergy and a PCN (Beta-lact. resistent) sensitive S. aureus endocarditis should undergo skin testing because PCN therapy was a more effective and less expensive therapy than vancomycin.