Management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia

Staphylococcus aureus, and particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an increasingly important etiology of pneumonia, both in healthcare and community settings. Associated with highest morbidity, mortality and costs in public health, it represents a major challenge for the management of this group of patients.

MRSA is one of the most common pathogens of ventilator associated pneumonia, whereas its estimated incidence for hospital acquired pneumonia, healthcare associated pneumonia and community acquired pneumonia has risen in the past decades. Although vancomycin at standard doses remains as the mainstay for its treatment, the increasing rate of treatment failure has prompted other strategies of use (more frequent administration, continuous infusion, combination therapy), and the use of newer antimicrobials, particularly linezolid, with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles which produce promisingly improved clinical results.

Overall, MRSA is an important cause of pneumonia; optimal management strategies for improving morbidity and mortality are still under development.