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The emerging problem of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus
Bing Gu1, Theodoros Kelesidis, Sotirios Tsiodras
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|September 6, 2012
Summary
Linezolid resistance in Staphylococcus is rare but emerging, primarily driven by rRNA mutations or cfr gene presence. This poses challenges for treating Gram-positive bacterial infections, especially those caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Linezolid is a crucial antibiotic for Gram-positive bacterial infections.
- Emerging resistance to linezolid is a growing concern in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and identify epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical features of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus infections.
- To understand the mechanisms and prevalence of linezolid resistance in Staphylococcus species.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of published reports on linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus infections.
- Analysis of epidemiological data, resistance mechanisms, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Linezolid resistance is identified in 0.05% of Staphylococcus aureus and 1.4% of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS).
- Common resistance mechanisms include 23S rRNA mutation (G2576T) and the cfr ribosomal methyltransferase gene.
- Resistance typically emerges after prolonged linezolid treatment.
Conclusions:
- Linezolid remains highly active against most Staphylococcus strains.
- The emergence of linezolid resistance, particularly in CoNS, presents significant clinical treatment challenges.
- Monitoring and understanding resistance mechanisms are crucial for effective antimicrobial stewardship.
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