Daptomycin and linezolid for severe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus psoas abscess and bacteremia: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin remains a first-line treatment drug as per the treatment guidelines for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. However, a number of gram-positive cocci have developed resistance to several drugs, including glycopeptides. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective and innovative antibacterial drugs to treat patients with infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. CASE SUMMARY: A 24-year-old male was admitted to hospital owing to lumbago, fever, and hematuria. Computed tomography (CT) results showed an abscess in the psoas major muscle of the patient. Repeated abscess drainage and blood culture suggested MRSA, and vancomycin was initiated. However, after day 10, CT scans showed abscesses in the lungs and legs of the patient. Therefore, treatment was switched to daptomycin. Linezolid was also added considering inflammation in the lungs. After 10 d of the dual-drug anti-MRSA treatment, culture of the abscess drainage turned negative for MRSA. On day 28, the patient was discharged without any complications. CONCLUSION: This case indicates that daptomycin combined with linezolid is an effective remedy for bacteremia caused by MRSA with pulmonary complications.