Vancomycin is indicated for treating which type of bacteria?

Vancomycin is primarily indicated for treating infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This antibiotic is a glycopeptide that works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, making it particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria, especially those that are resistant to other antibiotics. MRSA is a common cause of serious skin infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia, particularly in healthcare settings.

The activity of vancomycin against MRSA is crucial because MRSA strains have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, including methicillin, which makes vancomycin one of the few effective options for these infections.

While Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Proteus species can cause various infections, they are typically Gram-negative bacteria, which are generally treated with different classes of antibiotics. Therefore, vancomycin is not the preferred treatment for infections caused by these specific bacteria.