Linezolid-Induced Lactic Acidosis: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Linezolid is a crucial oxazolidinone antibiotic for treating multidrug-resistant gram-positive bacterial infections.
• It functions by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis via ribosomal RNA (rRNA) targeting.
• While effective for short-term use, prolonged linezolid administration carries risks of adverse effects.

Observation:

• A 66-year-old female patient with a complex orthopedic background presented with a prosthetic knee infection.
• The infection was refractory to multiple antibiotic treatments.
• The patient was subsequently treated with an extended duration of linezolid therapy.

Findings:

• Despite normal hepatic and renal function, the patient developed lactic acidosis.
• This case highlights a potential serious adverse event associated with prolonged linezolid exposure.
• Lactic acidosis occurred in the context of treating a resistant prosthetic joint infection.

Implications:

• Extended linezolid therapy, particularly in complex cases, warrants careful monitoring for metabolic complications like lactic acidosis.
• This case underscores the importance of vigilant patient monitoring during prolonged antibiotic courses.
• Further research may be needed to elucidate the mechanisms and risk factors for linezolid-induced lactic acidosis in specific patient populations.