MRSA Pneumonia: Linezolid versus Vancomycin; A Factual Treatment Choice is Emerging

Currently, in the medical community, there is debate concerning the most effective antibiotic treatment for pneumonia secondary to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). There is evidence of emerging resistant strains of gram-positive bacteria associated with vancomycin resistance, such as Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). It has been suggested that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of vancomycin are increasing, necessitating a higher dose of vancomycin to be effective. This suggests that strains of MRSA are becoming resistant or evolving [1]. Another relatively new antibiotic, linezolid (Zyvox), has been introduced into the market with the labelled use for treating MRSA pneumonia. Many clinicians have posited that linezolid is superior to vancomycin in enhanced lung tissue penetration and decreased difficulties in achieving appropriate drug levels as linezolid levels do not need to be monitored [2]. The debate continues as studies conclude that neither drug is superior to the other regarding mortality; however, linezolid is associated with fewer morbidities, higher clinical cure rates, and better microbiological cure rates. These ancillary findings and other considerations could position linezolid as the treatment of choice in many MRSA pneumonia clinical scenarios.