Linezolid Resistance in Staphylococcus haemolyticus - Case Series and Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are important. The common antibiotics used for the treatment of the infections caused by CoNS are penicillin, oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, and vancomycin. Linezolid is an oxazolidinone group of antibiotic with activity against Gram-positive bacteria. It is used for the treatment of serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria resistant to other antibiotics, including streptococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).

Aims and objective: This study emphasizes on the judicious use of newer antibiotics to contain the spread of resistance.

Method: We are discussing five cases of Linezolid resistant Staphylococcus Haemolyticus which were reported in our laboratory during one year from patients with device related infections and also review of literature is being presented for an update.

Result: In our study, the isolates were resistant to other groups of antimicrobials but susceptible to glycopeptides. All the isolates were methicillin-resistant.

Conclusion: Linezolid is approved as an alternative drug to be given for catheter-related bloodstream infections. In earlier studies, linezolid-resistant staphylococci have been reported increasingly all over the world. This study is to create awareness amongst clinicians that improper and excessive use of linezolid will make this antibiotic-resistant and thus will be of no help in future, so judicious and relevant use of antibiotics needs to be emphasized.

Keywords: Coagulase negative Staphylococci; Staphylococcus haemolyticus; antibiotics; drug resistance; linezolid; vancomycin-resistant enterococci.