Clindamycin for Staphylococcal Skin Infections in AIDS

To the Editor. —  In the article published in JAMA entitled "Prevention of Recurrent Staphylococcal Skin Infections With Low-Dose Oral Clindamycin Therapy," Drs Klempner and Styrt¹ demonstrated the usefulness of clindamycin for this indication in patients without neutropenia or neutrophil dysfunction. Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) frequently have staphylococcal skin infections even in the absence of vascular access devices or intravenous drug abuse.² We have used clindamycin for initial and maintenance therapy for cerebral toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS.³ The data presented by Drs Klempner and Styrt prompted us to review the records of these patients, with reference to staphylococcal infections, while they were receiving clindamycin therapy.

Study.—  Eight patients with AIDS received 6 to 8 weeks of daily therapy with oral clindamycin for cerebral toxoplasmosis. Four of these patients went on to receive maintenance therapy two or three times a week for at least