Daptomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections of the spine.
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.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the successful management of MRSA infection involving the spine.


METHODS
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.
Burdette
Steven D
SD
Department of Medicine, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45409, USA. steve.burdette@wright.edu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017576:Daptomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015299:Discitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017576:Daptomycin