MRSA new treatments on the horizon: current status

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Orthopaedic Surgery

Background:

• Several anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) antibiotics are available for complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI).
• Emerging resistance, toxicity, and limited oral options for deep infections necessitate new anti-MRSA agents.
• Orthopaedic infections present unique challenges, including poor vascularization and prosthetic materials, with limited evidence for combination therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and emerging anti-MRSA antibiotics for cSSSI.
• To highlight the specific challenges and knowledge gaps in treating orthopaedic-related infections with MRSA.
• To emphasize the need for evidence-based selection of anti-MRSA agents for diverse cSSSI, particularly in orthopaedic patients.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of anti-MRSA antibiotics and their efficacy in cSSSI.
• Analysis of challenges in treating orthopaedic infections, including combination therapy data.
• Identification of research needs for optimizing MRSA treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• A growing number of anti-MRSA antibiotics are available or in development for cSSSI.
• Limited controlled trial data exists for combination therapies in orthopaedic infections.
• Specific patient factors in orthopaedics complicate MRSA infection management.

Conclusions:

• The expanding arsenal of anti-MRSA drugs requires careful selection for various cSSSI.
• Further research is crucial to guide the effective use of anti-MRSA agents in orthopaedic patients.
• Addressing resistance and toxicity necessitates the development and evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches.