First report of linezolid dependence in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2015 Jul;21(7):650.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.03.012. Epub 2015 Apr 13.

Abstract

Linezolid is used to treat infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We describe the first report of linezolid dependence in MRSA. The strain was isolated from a respiratory sample of a cystic fibrosis patient, and it showed a thymidine-dependent small-colony variant phenotype. The effect was not related to any known mechanisms implicated in S. aureus resistance to linezolid. The clinical significance of this phenomenon needs further investigation.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; MRSA; dependence; linezolid; small-colony variant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications
  • Humans
  • Linezolid / metabolism*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Linezolid