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Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Optimising personalised antibiotic treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections
Min Woo Kang1, Shin Young Ahn1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Objective:
Methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSIs) in intensive care units (ICUs) carry high mortality, and although vancomycin remains standard treatment, daptomycin and linezolid may benefit specific subgroups. This study evaluates the mortality reduction associated with vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid using a deep learning-based causal inference model.
Methods:
Data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III and MIMIC-IV databases, including 270 ICU patients with MRSA BSI. A deep learning-based causal inference model was used to assess the treatment effect of linezolid, daptomycin, and vancomycin on in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify patient characteristics associated with the effectiveness of each antibiotic.
Results:
The deep learning-based model predicted that vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid reduced mortality by 15.86% (17.90% to 13.82%), 9.68% (11.83% to 7.53%), and 10.74% (12.64% to 8.84%), respectively, with vancomycin showing the greatest reduction. The average treatment effect for in-hospital mortality reduction with vancomycin was significantly greater than that with linezolid and daptomycin (both P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression for treatment effects revealed that vancomycin was particularly effective in patients of advanced age, those with chronic liver disease, and those with end-stage kidney disease, while it was less effective in patients with congestive heart failure or cancer. Daptomycin exhibited superior efficacy over vancomycin in patients with cancer, and linezolid was more effective in patients with cancer, hypertension, and congestive heart failure.
Conclusion:
This study highlights linezolid and daptomycin treatment in select subgroups, while a deep learning-based model enables personalised antibiotic recommendations for ICU treatment strategies.
Insights
Vancomycin significantly reduced mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSIs). Daptomycin and linezolid showed benefits in specific patient subgroups, suggesting personalized treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSIs) in intensive care units (ICUs) are associated with high mortality rates.
- Vancomycin is the standard treatment, but daptomycin and linezolid may offer advantages for specific patient populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mortality reduction associated with vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid in ICU patients with MRSA BSIs.
- To utilize a deep learning-based causal inference model for assessing antibiotic treatment effects.
- To identify patient characteristics influencing the effectiveness of each antibiotic.
Main Methods:
- Data were extracted from the MIMIC-III and MIMIC-IV databases, including 270 ICU patients with MRSA BSI.
- A deep learning-based causal inference model was employed to assess the in-hospital mortality reduction.
- Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify patient-specific factors associated with antibiotic efficacy.
Main Results:
- The deep learning model predicted vancomycin reduced mortality by 15.86%, daptomycin by 9.68%, and linezolid by 10.74%.
- Vancomycin demonstrated a significantly greater average treatment effect on mortality reduction compared to linezolid and daptomycin (p<0.001).
- Vancomycin was most effective in elderly patients and those with chronic liver or end-stage kidney disease, while daptomycin and linezolid showed superior efficacy in patients with cancer, congestive heart failure, or hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Vancomycin offers the greatest overall mortality reduction for MRSA BSIs in the ICU.
- Daptomycin and linezolid provide significant benefits for specific patient subgroups, enabling personalized treatment approaches.
- Deep learning models can guide individualized antibiotic selection for improved outcomes in critical care settings.

