title: Improved outcome of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a trauma population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a review of all blunt trauma patients diagnosed with MRSA VAP from June 2005 to June 2011. VAP for the first 3 years was diagnosed by sputum aspiration and treated with vancomycin. For the last 3 years of the study period, VAP was diagnosed with bronchoalveolar lavage and treated with linezolid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRSA VAP patients treated with vancomycin had an average hospital length of stay (LOS) of 49 days (range 9-99 days), an average intensive care unit (ICU) LOS of 43 days (range 6-98 days), and average ventilator days of 34.4 (range 3-76 days). Seventeen MRSA VAP patients treated with linezolid had an average hospital LOS of 27 days (range 11-61), an average ICU LOS of 22 days (range 10-42) days, and average ventilator days of 16.6 (range 2-42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trauma patients who develop MRSA VAP appear to have fewer ventilator days and shorter ICU and hospital LOS when treated with linezolid.
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, University of South Alabama Medical Center, 2451 Fillingim St, Mobile, AL 36617, USA. rgonzalez@usouthal.edu
authors: Richard P
authors: RP
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Rostas
authors: Jon D
authors: JD
authors: Simmons
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Allen
authors: Mohammad A
authors: MA
authors: Frotan
authors: Sidney B
authors: SB
authors: Brevard
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000069349:Linezolid; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D008875:Middle Aged; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011023:Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D014640:Vancomycin; D000069349:Linezolid