Question 20. Assuming that the causative strain of MRSA is
susceptible to the drug, what would you use for early oral
switch in patients with complicated skin and soft tissue
infection?
Background. Despite the high prevalence of complicated
SSTIs, there are relatively few randomized controlled studies
addressing the oral antibiotic treatment of complicated SSTIs
caused by MRSA. More reliable information is available on
newer antibiotics such as linezolid and long-acting tetracyclines
[136–138]. Before the advent of CA-MRSA, trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole
was rarely used for treatment of
skin infections, because of poor activity against group A
streptococci [139]. Clindamycin is a good option for SSTIs
caused by MRSA strains susceptible to this drug [140], but
there are concerns that rates of resistance to clindamycin
can be underestimated if testing for inducible macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin
B resistance is not performed
[141]. For the treatment of erythromycin susceptible MRSA
strains, clindamycin is a preferred choice as emergence of
clindamycin resistance requires two step mutation and its
bioavailability is better [32]. Fluoroquinolones are not
recommended for the treatment of MRSA infections, as even
sensitive isolates may rapidly develop resistance to these
agents [13,142]. A good overview of the clinical evidence
base for using oral antibiotics for the treatment of SSTIs
caused by MRSA is published by Enoch et al. [142].
Responses. Linezolid was the most common choice for
early oral switch in the treatment of complicated SSTIs due
to MRSA, being selected by the majority (67%) of the faculty
members and 25% of the ECCMID delegates (Fig. 12). Clindamycin
plus rifampicin and trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole
were also selected by about 10–25% of the faculty
members and ECCMID delegates. A small minority (5%) of
the ECCMID delegates responded that they would not
switch to oral treatment for complicated SSTIs due to
MRSA.
Conclusions. Linezolid is considered to be the most appropriate
agent for early oral switch in complicated SSTIs due
to MRSA. Older antistaphylococcal agents may be effective
(especially in cases of CA-MRSA), but more controlled studies
with these agents are needed.