Successful Daptomycin Use in a Pediatric Patient With Acute, Bilateral Osteomyelitis Caused by Methicillin-Resistant...

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria associated with the development of osteomyelitis in pediatric patients. Osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be difficult to safely and effectively treat. Vancomycin, linezolid, and clindamycin are commonly used to treat osteomyelitis caused by MRSA. While adult studies suggest intravenous (IV) daptomycin may by beneficial for the treatment of MRSA osteomyelitis, it is not Food and Drug Administration approved for use in pediatrics, and minimal data are available related to its use in this population. This case report describes the successful use of daptomycin (8 mg/kg/dose IV daily) combined with rifampin for 5 weeks, followed by 5 weeks of oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, for treatment of acute bilateral osteomyelitis caused by MRSA in an 8-year-old male. The patient did not initially respond to the combination of vancomycin plus rifampin and gentamicin, nor did he respond to ceftaroline treatment. After initiation of daptomycin, his fevers quickly subsided, his pain rapidly improved, and his inflammatory markers significantly decreased. While daptomycin was effective in this patient, additional research is needed to determine the true safety and efficacy of this drug for treatment of osteomyelitis caused by MRSA in pediatric patients.