Revolutionary Two-Dose Treatment for Staph Bloodstream Infections: What You Need to Know

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September 16, 2025

New research shows that dalbavancin, a long-lasting antibiotic, can be a simpler option to treat complicated blood infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This finding comes from a study supported by the NIH, which may change how we approach these serious infections.

Every year, staph infections lead to thousands of deaths worldwide. Treating these infections can be tough; it often requires weeks of intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Patients usually need a long IV line, which can restrict their daily activities and carries risks like blood clots and additional infections.

Dr. Nicholas A. Turner and his team at Duke University studied the effectiveness of dalbavancin compared to traditional methods. Dalbavancin is given in just two doses, one week apart, and remains active in the bloodstream for 4 to 6 weeks. Patients only need to have a catheter inserted for a short hour during each dose.

In the study, 200 adults hospitalized with staph infections were enrolled. Each participant had received some initial treatment before being randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group received dalbavancin, while the other underwent traditional IV treatment for 4 to 8 weeks. The results, published in JAMA on August 13, 2025, showed that the outcomes were similar, but dalbavancin proved to be a bit safer.

“Our research offers patients and doctors another option for treating complicated staph bloodstream infections,” says Dr. Turner. Study coauthor Dr. Thomas L. Holland adds, “Dalbavancin allows patients to complete their treatment without the hassles and risks of long-term IV access.” This could greatly improve patient comfort and convenience.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bloodstream infections have been on the rise, emphasizing the need for effective treatments. In the U.S., around 31,000 cases of staph bacteremia are reported yearly. Finding new, safer treatment methods is crucial.

Overall, dalbavancin could be a game-changer in how we treat serious infections, making the process less burdensome for patients.

—by Yolanda L. Jones

Funding

Supported by NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); AbbVie.

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Staphylococcus aureus, staph, dalbavancin, bacteremia, Dalvance, antibiotic, Nicolas A. Turner, Thomas Holland, JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association

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