Vancomycin or linezolid empiric MRSA coverage with potential ventilator-associated pneumonia has no benefit or effect on outcomes: antibiotic stewardship implications

Clinically, meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is rare. However, MRSA is a common colonizer of respiratory secretions in ventilated adults in intensive care units (ICUs). The classic clinical features of bona fide S. aureus pneumonia are well known from experience with S. aureus pneumonia with influenza. In a potential VAP (pVAP) ICU patient without the clinical findings of S. aureus pneumonia (i.e. otherwise unexplained new high fevers/chills, haemorrhagic tracheobronchitis, elastin fibres in bronchial secretions, hypotension, rapid cavitation, and thick-walled cavities in one/both lungs) [1,2].
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research