title: Daptomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections of the spine.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45409, USA. steve.burdette@wright.edu
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Burdette
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017576:Daptomycin