Use of long-acting tetracyclines for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: case series and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Few data exist on the efficacy of the long-acting tetracyclines doxycycline and minocycline against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.


METHODS
The medical records of 24 patients with serious tetracycline-susceptible MRSA infections who were treated with doxycycline or minocycline were reviewed. A review of the literature on the use of these antibiotics for treatment of both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection was also performed.


RESULTS
Complicated skin and skin-structure infections were most common (67%). Clinical cure was achieved in 20 (83%) of 24 patients in our case series. Both drugs were well-tolerated. The review of the literature on a total of 85 patients with S. aureus infection revealed similar results.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-acting tetracyclines may be a reasonable treatment alternative for patients with certain types of MRSA infection.
Ruhe
Jorg J
JJ
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. ruhejorgj@uams.edu
Monson
Thomas
T
Bradsher
Robert W
RW
Menon
Anupama
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013754:Tetracyclines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013754:Tetracyclines