title: Antibiotic options for treating community-acquired MRSA.
abstract: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are developing as a prominent public-health threat. While minor CA-MRSA infections are treatable in an out-patient setting, the pharmacotherapeutic options for oral therapies are dwindling as resistance continues to rise in general and levels of susceptibility vary geographically. In many instances, fluoroquinolones and clindamycin are not reasonable empiric treatment choices, leaving physicians with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline or linezolid as viable options, depending on patient-specific circumstances and the impact of potential adverse effects. Resistance to intravenous options remains low and attention should be focused on the site and severity of infection when choosing antibiotic/intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Clinical trials directly comparing antibiotic options in both out-patient and in-patient settings are needed to enhance recommendations for empiric therapy algorithms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, VCU Health System, 401 N 12th Street, Box 980042, Richmond, VA 23298-0042, USA. jpowell2@mcvh-vcu.edu
authors.forename: J Patrick
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Wenzel
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents