Spine J. 2008 Dec 26
Burdette SD.
Department of Medicine, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45409, USA.
BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is increasingly common. Treatment with vancomycin-based therapy is often unsuccessful. Daptomycin is a relatively new lipopeptide antibiotic with potent activity against MRSA.
PURPOSE: To describe the successful management of MRSA infection involving the spine.
STUDY DESIGN: Two case reports of MRSA infection, one involving epidural and lumbar subdural abscesses, the other with osteomyelitis and discitis.
METHODS: Two cases are described, one with lumbar epidural and subdural abscesses and the other with osteomyelitis and discitis of the spine. Switching from vancomycin to daptomycin plus rifampin-based therapy resulted in patient improvement that allowed discharge from the hospital.
RESULTS: Both patients recovered fully from their infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Daptomycin is a safe and effective option for the treatment of MRSA infection involving the spine.
PMID: 19112049 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
