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Bodilsen J, D'Alessandris QG, Humphreys H, Iro MA, Klein M, Last K, Montesinos IL, Pagliano P, Sipahi OR, San-Juan R, Tattevin P, Thurnher M, de J Treviño-Rangel R, Brouwer MC. European society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of brain abscess in children and adults. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:66-89. [PMID: 37648062 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE These European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases guidelines are intended for clinicians involved in diagnosis and treatment of brain abscess in children and adults. METHODS Key questions were developed, and a systematic review was carried out of all studies published since 1 January 1996, using the search terms 'brain abscess' OR 'cerebral abscess' as Mesh terms or text in electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane registry. The search was updated on 29 September 2022. Exclusion criteria were a sample size <10 patients or publication in non-English language. Extracted data was summarized as narrative reviews and tables. Meta-analysis was carried out using a random effects model and heterogeneity was examined by I2 tests as well as funnel and Galbraith plots. Risk of bias was assessed using Risk Of Bias in Non-randomised Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) (observational studies) and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) (diagnostic studies). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was applied to classify strength of recommendations (strong or conditional) and quality of evidence (high, moderate, low, or very low). QUESTIONS ADDRESSED BY THE GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS Magnetic resonance imaging is recommended for diagnosis of brain abscess (strong and high). Antimicrobials may be withheld until aspiration or excision of brain abscess in patients without severe disease if neurosurgery can be carried out within reasonable time, preferably within 24 hours (conditional and low). Molecular-based diagnostics are recommended, if available, in patients with negative cultures (conditional and moderate). Aspiration or excision of brain abscess is recommended whenever feasible, except for cases with toxoplasmosis (strong and low). Recommended empirical antimicrobial treatment for community-acquired brain abscess in immuno-competent individuals is a 3rd-generation cephalosporin and metronidazole (strong and moderate) with the addition of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and voriconazole in patients with severe immuno-compromise (conditional and low). Recommended empirical treatment of post-neurosurgical brain abscess is a carbapenem combined with vancomycin or linezolid (conditional and low). The recommended duration of antimicrobial treatment is 6-8 weeks (conditional and low). No recommendation is offered for early transition to oral antimicrobials because of a lack of data, and oral consolidation treatment after ≥6 weeks of intravenous antimicrobials is not routinely recommended (conditional and very low). Adjunctive glucocorticoid treatment is recommended for treatment of severe symptoms because of perifocal oedema or impending herniation (strong and low). Primary prophylaxis with antiepileptics is not recommended (conditional and very low). Research needs are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Bodilsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections of the Brain (ESGIB), Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Quintino Giorgio D'Alessandris
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Hilary Humphreys
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mildred A Iro
- Department of Paediatric Infectious diseases and Immunology, The Royal London Children's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Matthias Klein
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections of the Brain (ESGIB), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; Emergency Department, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Last
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections of the Brain (ESGIB), Basel, Switzerland; Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Inmaculada López Montesinos
- Infectious Disease Service, Hospital del Mar, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERINFEC ISCIII, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pasquale Pagliano
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections of the Brain (ESGIB), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; UOC Clinica Infettivologica AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, Salerno, Italy
| | - Oğuz Reşat Sipahi
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections of the Brain (ESGIB), Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey; Infectious Diseases Department, Bahrain Oncology Center, King Hamad University Hospital, Muharraq, Bahrain
| | - Rafael San-Juan
- CIBERINFEC ISCIII, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unit of Infectious Diseases, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Tattevin
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections of the Brain (ESGIB), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Infectious Diseases and Intensive Care Unit, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Majda Thurnher
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rogelio de J Treviño-Rangel
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Fungal Infection Study Group (EFISG), Basel, Switzerland; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Antimicrobial Stewardship (ESGAP), Basel, Switzerland; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Genomic and Molecular Diagnostics (ESGMD), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthijs C Brouwer
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Study Group for Infections of the Brain (ESGIB), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Therapeutic Options and Outcomes for the Treatment of Children with Gram-Positive Bacteria with Resistances of Concern: A Systematic Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020261. [PMID: 36830174 PMCID: PMC9952189 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MR-CoNS), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) are increasing worldwide and represent a threat for the limited treatment options in pediatric patients and neonates compared to adults. Recommendations in pediatrics are mainly extrapolated from adults' studies. METHODS A literature search for the treatment of these pathogens in children (<18 years old) was conducted in Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. Studies reporting data on single-patient-level outcomes related to a specific antibiotic treatment for multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-positive bacterial infection in children were included. Studies reporting data from adults and children were included if single-pediatric-level information could be identified (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022383867). RESULTS The search identified 11,740 studies (since January 2000), of which 48 fulfilled both the inclusion and the exclusion criteria and were included in the analysis: 29 for MRSA, 20 for VRE, and seven for MR-CoNS. Most studies were retrospective studies. Vancomycin was mainly used as a comparator, while linezolid and daptomycin were the most studied antimicrobials showing good efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Linezolid showed a safety and efficacy profile in a neonatal setting; daptomycin is increasingly used for MRSA, but the evidence is scarce for VRE.
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Mehmood MA, Patel M, Sanekommu H. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: A Very Rare Cause of Meningitis. Cureus 2020; 12:e10370. [PMID: 33062493 PMCID: PMC7550032 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is mostly implicated in soft tissue and skin infections. Cases with meningitis caused by CA-MRSA are rare. High index of suspicion should be kept for physicians as bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and if untreated, has a high mortality rate. Urgent steps need to be taken to determine the cause and implement therapy. Here, we reported a case of a 58-year-old female with MRSA bacteremia and meningitis as confirmed by positive blood cultures and cerebrospinal fluid analysis; successfully managed with vancomycin and rifampin.
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Bahubali VKH, Vijayan P, Bhandari V, Siddaiah N, Srinivas D. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus intracranial abscess: An analytical series and review on molecular, surgical and medical aspects. Indian J Med Microbiol 2018; 36:97-103. [PMID: 29735835 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.ijmm_17_41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Intracranial abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is rare and unexplored. The aim of the present study is to examine the prevalence, clinical and molecular characteristics, treatment options and outcome of MRSA intracranial abscess over a period of 6 years. Patientsand Methods A total of 21 patients were included in this retrospective study. The demographic and clinical details of all the patients were collected. Molecular typing including staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing, spa typing and polymerase chain reaction of Panton-Valentine leucocidin toxin (PVL) gene for the latter 6 isolates was performed. Results The paediatric population was the most affected group (33.3%). The primary route of infection was post-operative/trauma in 7 (33.3%) cases. All the patients were treated surgically either by aspiration or excision. Fifteen (71%) patients received anti-MRSA treatment with vancomycin or linezolid, where linezolid-treated patients showed better prognosis. Of the 11 patients who were on follow-up, unfavourable outcome was observed in 3 (27.3%) cases and 8 (72.7%) cases improved. The molecular typing of six isolates revealed four community-associated (CA) MRSA, one each of livestock-associated (LA) and healthcare-associated MRSA with PVL gene noted in all. Conclusion We propose that timely diagnosis, surgical intervention and appropriate anti-MRSA treatment would contribute to better outcome. The occurrence of CA-MRSA and LA-MRSA infection in the central nervous system signifies the threat from the community and livestock reservoir, thus drawing attention towards surveillance and tracking to understand the epidemiology and implement infection control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Priya Vijayan
- Department of Neuromicrobiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Vasundhra Bhandari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Nagarathna Siddaiah
- Department of Neuromicrobiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Dwarakanath Srinivas
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Martín-Gandul C, Mayorga-Buiza MJ, Castillo-Ojeda E, Gómez-Gómez MJ, Rivero-Garvía M, Gil-Navarro MV, Márquez-Rivas FJ, Jiménez-Mejías ME. Sequential antimicrobial treatment with linezolid for neurosurgical infections: efficacy, safety and cost study. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2016; 158:1837-43. [PMID: 27520361 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-016-2915-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence for the effectiveness of linezolid in neurosurgical infections (NSIs) is growing. The comfortable oral dosage and tolerance of linezolid opens the possibility for sequential antimicrobial treatment (SAT) in stable patients after a period of intravenous treatment. METHODS To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SAT with oral linezolid in patients with NSI and to analyse the cost implications, an observational, non-comparative, prospective cohort study was conducted on clinically stable consecutive adult patients at the Neurosurgical Service. Following intravenous treatment, patients were discharged with SAT with oral linezolid. RESULTS A total of 77 patients were included. The most common NSIs were: 41 surgical wound infections, 20 subdural empyemas, 18 epidural abscesses, and 16 brain abscesses. Forty-four percent of patients presented two or more concomitant NSIs. Aetiological agents commonly isolated were: Propionibacterium acnes (36 %), Staphylococcus aureus (23 %), Staphylococcus epidermidis (21 %) and Streptococcus spp. (13 %). The median duration of the SAT was 15 days (range, 3-42). The SAT was interrupted in five cases due to adverse events. The remainder of the patients were cured at the end of the SAT. A total of 1,163 days of hospitalisation were saved. An overall cost reduction of €516,188 was attributed to the SAT. Eight patients with device infections did not require removal of the device, with an additional cost reduction of €190,595. The mean cost saving per patient was €9,179. CONCLUSIONS SAT with linezolid was safe and effective for the treatment of NSI. SAT reduces hospitalisation times, which means significant savings of health and economic resources.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Uncertainties exist regarding the optimal treatment for vancomycin-resistant enterococcal (VRE) bloodstream infections, particularly in settings in which ampicillin cannot be used. RECENT FINDINGS Quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, and daptomycin, all approved between 1999 and 2003, represent the mainstays of therapy for VRE bacteremia, although only linezolid has been specifically approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for this indication. The main objective of this review is to compare the relative efficacies, dosing strategies, and side-effect profiles of quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, and daptomycin for VRE bacteremia in the pediatric population. A brief description of recently approved broad-spectrum Gram-positive agents that may have a role in the management of VRE bacteremia in upcoming years is also provided. SUMMARY Linezolid, despite its bacteriostatic activity against VRE, may be the most versatile of the available drugs. It has activity against both Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium, can be administered orally, and resistance appears to be less of a concern with linezolid compared with the other agents. Additionally, the results of two recent meta-analyses demonstrate more favorable outcomes with linezolid compared with daptomycin for the treatment of VRE bacteremia. The clinical pharmacokinetics of linezolid have been well described in children. The most notable concern with linezolid, however, is toxicities associated with prolonged use. Until more prospective data are available, we favor linezolid as first-line therapy for the treatment of VRE bacteremia in children.
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Gandelman K, Zhu T, Fahmi OA, Glue P, Lian K, Obach RS, Damle B. Unexpected Effect of Rifampin on the Pharmacokinetics of Linezolid: In Silico and In Vitro Approaches to Explain Its Mechanism. J Clin Pharmacol 2013; 51:229-36. [DOI: 10.1177/0091270010366445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Garazzino S, Tovo PA. Clinical experience with linezolid in infants and children. J Antimicrob Chemother 2011; 66 Suppl 4:iv23-iv41. [PMID: 21521704 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkr074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide spread of multidrug-resistant organisms has required the development of new antimicrobials. Linezolid, the first oxazolidinone, has a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant strains. Although approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002, the clinical experience with linezolid in the paediatric population is still limited, also given the fact that in most European countries the paediatric use of linezolid is off-label. In this paper we summarize the actual evidence on both licensed and off-label clinical uses of linezolid in children, including efficacy, safety and tolerability issues. Taking into account the potential bias in comparing heterogeneous clinical trials and reports, the available literature data suggest that linezolid is a safe and effective agent for the treatment of serious Gram-positive bacterial infections in neonates and children. At present, linezolid is reserved for those children who are intolerant to or fail conventional agents. A linezolid-containing regimen can be a valuable option for treating multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in children as well as disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. Given the rare occurrence of serious side effects, careful monitoring of haematological parameters, possible drug interactions and neurological manifestations is recommended in linezolid-treated children, especially in case of prolonged treatments. Appropriate linezolid dosage and hospital infection control measures are essential to avoid the spread of linezolid resistance. Further studies are needed to establish novel paediatric indications for linezolid use and to assess the tolerability of long-term treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Garazzino
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Turin, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Infectious Diseases Unit, Piazza Polonia 94, Turin, Italy
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Liu C, Bayer A, Cosgrove SE, Daum RS, Fridkin SK, Gorwitz RJ, Kaplan SL, Karchmer AW, Levine DP, Murray BE, J Rybak M, Talan DA, Chambers HF. Clinical practice guidelines by the infectious diseases society of america for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in adults and children. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 52:e18-55. [PMID: 21208910 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciq146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1872] [Impact Index Per Article: 144.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections were prepared by an Expert Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). The guidelines are intended for use by health care providers who care for adult and pediatric patients with MRSA infections. The guidelines discuss the management of a variety of clinical syndromes associated with MRSA disease, including skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), bacteremia and endocarditis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and central nervous system (CNS) infections. Recommendations are provided regarding vancomycin dosing and monitoring, management of infections due to MRSA strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, and vancomycin treatment failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California94102, USA.
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Moulin F, Ménager C. Le linézolide en pédiatrie. Arch Pediatr 2010; 17 Suppl 4:S133-9. [DOI: 10.1016/s0929-693x(10)70914-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Clinical efficacy and tolerability of linezolid in pediatric patients: a systematic review. Clin Ther 2010; 32:66-88. [PMID: 20171414 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Linezolid is marketed for the treatment of severe, vancomycin-resistant infections with gram-positive bacteria in adults. Most information regarding the pharmacokinetic profile, efficacy, and tolerability of linezolid is derived from adult studies. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to summarize evidence regarding the use of linezolid in infants and children, focusing on the drug's clinical efficacy data and tolerability profile. METHODS A literature search was conducted of the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases, from their inception through July 20, 2009, using the following terms: linezolid, newborn, infant, child, pediatrics, adolescent, human, clinical trial, and case report. Articles were excluded if they were redundant or not pertinent. (Articles that did not focus on the use of linezolid in children were considered not pertinent.) Bibliographies of all relevant articles were also evaluated. RESULTS Forty-seven publications regarding the use of linezolid in children were included in the review: 5 pharmacokinetic studies, 32 case reports, 6 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), 2 uncontrolled trials, 1 subanalysis of 2 published RCTs, and 1 subanalysis of published data about linezolid's tolerability. Pharmacokinetic data on linezolid use in children were derived from studies that enrolled 447 children. Plasma pharmacokinetics of linezolid in pediatric patients were found to be age dependent. Results from 6 vancomycinor cefadroxil-controlled RCTs (including 1480 children) evaluating linezolid treatment in children reported variable clinical cure rates, ranging from 75.0% to 93.2% in children with skin and skin-structure infections and from 77.5% to 90.0% in children with bacteremia or pneumonia. No significant difference in clinical cure rates between the linezolid group and the comparator group was observed in any study. The most frequently reported adverse events were diarrhea (from 3.1% to 16.8%), nausea and/or vomiting (from 2.9% to 11.9%), and thrombocytopenia (from 1.9% to 4.7%). To date, 3 cases of neuropathy have been described in children. CONCLUSIONS The reviewed pediatric studies in skin and skin-structure infections, bacteremia, or pneumonia found that linezolid was associated with high clinical cure rates (75.0%-93.2%) that did not differ significantly from those of vancomycin or cefadroxil. RCTs enrolling children with other types of infection (eg, osteomyelitis, endocarditis), as well as long-term studies, are needed to draw definitive conclusions about linezolid's efficacy and tolerability in pediatric patients. Careful monitoring for adverse events and possible linezolid resistance continues to be essential.
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Yilmaz A, Dalgic N, Müslüman M, Sancar M, Colak I, Aydin Y. Linezolid treatment of shunt-related cerebrospinal fluid infections in children. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2010; 5:443-8. [PMID: 20433254 DOI: 10.3171/2009.12.peds09421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria as a cause of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection is a disconcerting phenomenon that often requires the use of alternative antimicrobial agents due to resistance against commonly used medications. Linezolid, a member of a new class of antimicrobial agents, has good activity against virtually all important gram-positive pathogens, including multidrug-resistant gram-positive pathogens. The object of this article is to report a single-center experience with linezolid treatment in 6 young patients with VP shunt infections caused by drug-resistant strains. METHODS The authors reviewed the records of 6 pediatric patients who developed VP shunt infection and in whom initial antimicrobial treatment regimens, including vancomycin, either failed or were associated with vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. All 6 patients were treated at their hospital between July 1, 2008, and June 29, 2009. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and various treatment modalities used before linezolid therapy were evaluated. RESULTS The 6 patients included were 2 boys and 4 girls with a mean (+/- SD) age of 11.83 +/- 12 months (range 4-36 months). Five patients had acquired an infection within 4 months (mean 7.50 +/- 13.51 months, range 1-35 months) after shunt insertion. Four patients were treated with external ventricular drainage. Two patients' parents refused to allow shunt removal and placement of an external ventricular drain. The CSF was clear of bacterial growth within a mean of 3.67 +/- 1.36 days (range 2-6 days) after initiation of linezolid treatment. The mean duration of linezolid treatment was 18.17 +/- 3.31 days (range 14-21 days). Microbiological clearance of CSF and clinical cure were achieved in all patients. No laboratory or clinical side effects were observed during the treatment period. The mean length of hospital stay was 22.8 +/- 4.96 days (range 17-28 days). CONCLUSIONS Linezolid could be an appropriate treatment alternative in children with ventriculostomy-related CSF infections caused by drug-resistant strains, including cases in which shunt removal is not an option. Well-designed prospective studies providing additional information on linezolid levels in plasma and CSF are necessary to confirm the authors' observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adem Yilmaz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
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