MRSA vertebral discitis managed successfully using linezolid as a component of an oral antibiotic regimen

Abstract

We describe a 71-year-old lady with end-stage renal failure on haemodialysis who developed vertebral discitis due to MRSA. She was intolerant of glycopeptide antibiotics and was treated successfully with oral linezolid for four weeks followed by oral combination therapy with doxycycline and fusidic acid for two weeks. Her antibiotic management and her clinical course is described, and we discuss the usefulness of the above antibiotics to treat MRSA infections affecting bone and vertebral discs in patients with renal failure.