Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

Increasing consumption of MRSA-active drugs without increasing MRSA in German ICUs

Elisabeth Meyer1, Frank Schwab, Barbara Schroeren-Boersch

  • 1Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité University Medicine, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203 Berlin, Germany. elisabeth.meyer@charite.de

Intensive Care Medicine
|August 23, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Consumption of new methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-active antibiotics increased significantly in German ICUs over nine years. However, the MRSA burden remained stable, indicating new antibiotics were added without replacing older ones.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Pharmacy
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in intensive care units (ICUs).
  • Antibiotic stewardship is crucial for managing MRSA infections effectively.
  • Understanding trends in antibiotic consumption and MRSA burden is vital for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze changes in the consumption of MRSA-active antibiotics.
  • To assess the burden of MRSA over a nine-year period.
  • To examine the relationship between antibiotic use and MRSA prevalence in German ICUs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 55 German ICUs between 2001 and 2009.
  • Categorization of MRSA-active antibiotics into 'old' (vancomycin, teicoplanin, fosfomycin) and 'new' (quinupristin/dalfopristin, linezolid, daptomycin).
  • Definition of MRSA burden as MRSA isolates per 1,000 patient-days.

Main Results:

  • Over 1.5 million patient-days and 32,450 S. aureus isolates were analyzed.
  • The MRSA burden and resistance proportion remained stable (4.4 per 1,000 patient-days and 21.8%, respectively).
  • MRSA-active antibiotic consumption more than doubled, driven by a significant increase in new agents, while old agents remained stable.

Conclusions:

  • Newer MRSA-active antibiotics, particularly linezolid, saw increased use over nine years.
  • This increase in newer antibiotics did not lead to a decrease in the overall MRSA burden or resistance.
  • Newer agents were added to existing regimens rather than replacing older ones, suggesting a shift in treatment strategies.

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