UTI Knowledge Center
Antibiotic Spotlight

Vancomycin

Emery Haley, PhD, Scientific Writing Specialist

Vancomycin

Find the Latest FDA-Approved Labelling Information Here: Drugs@FDA Online Database

Administrative Routes

Parenteral [intravenous infusion (IV)]

Other Names

Vancocin

Bacteriostatic or Bactericidal

Bactericidal [1]

Antibiotic Class

Glycopeptide

Mechanisms of Action

Vancomycin binds to D-alanyl D-alanine in the bacterial cell wall, inhibiting peptidoglycan polymerization. Failure of peptidoglycan cell wall synthesis causes bacterial cell death.

WHO AWaRe Classification

Watch [2]

Empiric Use Recommendations

No published guidance

Indication(s) Relevant to UTI

On label for severe infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species.  

On label for penicillin-allergic patients or patients who have failed treatment with penicillins or cephalosporins for infections caused by vancomycin-susceptible organisms.

Checkmarks

CLSI and/or FDA documents support the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organisms from the Guidance® UTI test: Aerococcus urinae, Corynebacterium riegelii, Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Viridans Group Streptococci.  

Published primary literature supports the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organisms from the Guidance® UTI test: Alloscardovia omnicolens ​[3], and Actinotignum schaalii ​​[4-6]

About the Author

Dr. Emery Haley is a scientific writing specialist with over ten years of experience in translational cell and molecular biology. As both a former laboratory scientist and an experienced science communicator, Dr. Haley is passionate about making complex research clear, approachable, and relevant. Their work has been published in over 10 papers and focuses on bridging the gap between the lab and real-world patient care to help drive better health outcomes.

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References
  1. Ishak, A.; Mazonakis, N.; Spernovasilis, N.; Akinosoglou, K.; Tsioutis, C. Bactericidal versus Bacteriostatic Antibacterials: Clinical Significance, Differences and Synergistic Potential in Clinical Practice. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 2024, 80, 1–17, doi:10.1093/jac/dkae380
  2. AWaRe Classification of Antibiotics for Evaluation and Monitoring of Use, 2023 Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MHP-HPS-EML-2023.04 (accessed on 6 February 2025).
  3. Isnard, C.; Lienhard, R.; Reissier, S.; Rodriguez, S.; Krähenbühl, J.; Liassine, N.; Guérin, F.; Cattoir, V. In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Alloscardovia Omnicolens and Molecular Mechanisms of Acquired Resistance. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease 2016, 84, 227–229, doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.08.009.
  4. Lotte, R.; Lotte, L.; Ruimy, R. Actinotignum Schaalii (Formerly Actinobaculum Schaalii): A Newly Recognized Pathogen—Review of the Literature. Clin Microbiol Infec 2016, 22, 28–36, doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2015.10.038.
  5. Cattoir, V.; Varca, A.; Greub, G.; Prod’hom, G.; Legrand, P.; Lienhard, R. In Vitro Susceptibility of Actinobaculum Schaalii to 12 Antimicrobial Agents and Molecular Analysis of Fluoroquinolone Resistance. J Antimicrob Chemoth 2010, 65, 2514–2517, doi:10.1093/jac/dkq383.
  6. Sahuquillo-Arce, J.M.; Suárez-Urquiza, P.; Hernández-Cabezas, A.; Tofan, L.; Chouman-Arcas, R.; García-Hita, M.; Sabalza-Baztán, O.; Sellés-Sánchez, A.; Lozano-Rodríguez, N.; Martí-Cuñat, J.; et al. Actinotignum Schaalii Infection: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment. Heliyon 2024, 10, e28589, doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28589.