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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Antimicrobial chemotherapy of septicemia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Abstract:
The outcome of treatment of 48 episodes of septicemia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 44 patients was assessed. Twenty-six of the patients died; nineteen of them died of infection, and infection was a major contributing factor to the deaths of the remaining seven patients. Fourteen of fifteen patients treated with inadequate antibiotic therapy died, and the other patient developed a mycotic aneurysm of the femoral artery, for which amputation was necessary. Eight of eleven patients treated with amikacin (alone or combined with another antimicrobial) died, and three recovered slowly; only one recovered fully without sequelae. In an additional two patients who failed to respond to amikacin, treatment was changed to vancomycin. Vancomycin was used to treat 18 episodes of MRSA septicemia in 17 patients. In 14 of these episodes the patients recovered fully. One patient died of uncontrolled infection, and in three, infection was a contributing factor but not the major cause of death. Vancomycin was confirmed as antibiotic of choice in treating MRSA septicemia.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) septicemia treatment outcomes show high mortality with inadequate therapy or amikacin. Vancomycin demonstrated superior efficacy in treating MRSA septicemia, confirming its role as the preferred antibiotic.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Septicemia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a significant therapeutic challenge.
- High mortality rates are associated with MRSA infections, necessitating effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the treatment outcomes of septicemia episodes caused by MRSA.
- To compare the efficacy of different antibiotic regimens, including amikacin and vancomycin, in treating MRSA septicemia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 48 episodes of MRSA septicemia in 44 patients.
- Evaluation of treatment regimens, focusing on antibiotic adequacy, amikacin, and vancomycin therapy.
- Assessment of patient outcomes, including mortality, recovery, and complications.
Main Results:
- Inadequate antibiotic therapy resulted in a 93% mortality rate (14 of 15 patients).
- Amikacin treatment led to a high mortality rate (8 of 11 patients) and slow recovery in survivors.
- Vancomycin treatment showed a high success rate, with 14 of 18 episodes resulting in full recovery.
Conclusions:
- Vancomycin is confirmed as the antibiotic of choice for treating MRSA septicemia.
- Inadequate antibiotic therapy and amikacin are associated with poor outcomes in MRSA septicemia.
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